Soup Season: Exploring Humanity’s Historical Love For Soup

Written By Ally Troy

“I gotta focus. I’m shifting into soup mode.” — George Costanza (Seinfeld, 1995)

As the remaining weeks of warm weather come to a close, the shift in my Instagram algorithm coincides with the subtle change in seasons. No longer is my feed filled with quick summer lunches or refreshing mocktails; instead, it’s slowly introducing one of social media's most popular cold-weather trends: soups. Vegan soups, the “never-fail” immune-boost soups, “glowing skin” soups [uh-huh,okay?], noodle soups—my soup feed goes on and on.

Within the pop culture zeitgeist, soup has always been a recurring topic. It arrives unannounced but leaves us warm and satisfied nonetheless. From the famous “No soup for you!” and the “I gotta focus. I’m shifting into soup mode.” meme-able lines from 1990s Seinfeld, to rapper Webstar’s 2006 one-hit wonder “Chicken Noodle Soup,” and the rise of “soup girlie” during peak pandemic times on TikTok, soup has found its delicious way into our lives over and over again. 

And this fall season is no different. The latest food trend that has dominated our feeds is back with full liquid-y force.

The Season of Soup

Soup season. It’s a term that doesn’t have a formal definition, but it’s easy to understand: the season when you eat lots and lots of soup. Plain and simple.

But it’s not just the formal definition that’s a mystery; its true social media origin is just as cloudy as a savory miso broth.

No one truly knows where  #soupseason started, but a credible source that helped cement this cold-weather trend into popularity was vegan and internet chef Alfie Steiner (@alfiecooks). In October 2023, Alfie launched his “Soup Season Series”, producing videos over the fall and winter that showcased how to make ten of his favorite soup recipes. During the series, he featured minestrone soup, cream of tomato with a side grilled cheese sandwich, pea and mint soup, firecracker ramen, and more custom dishes inspired by cultures around the world. In total, he gained over 1.6 million likes on his soup season welcome post and hundreds of thousands more on subsequent posts.

Now, a year later, Alfie and many other chefs are ramping up the soup content, and our feeds are looking more delicious than ever.

However, it should be noted that soup isn’t the new kid on the block. Soup is the welcoming elderly neighbor who’s been around since the early days, reminding you of the ideal grandparent—one who ensures that if you’re at their house, you’re cozy, comfortable, and happy.

Man’s First Go-To Meal

Soup has been a staple in humanity’s diet for thousands of years. Though we may not know the origin of “soup season,” the word “soup” finds its roots in the Latin word ‘suppa,’ which referred to bread soaked in broth. By the 1600s, ‘suppa’ was transformed and popularized by the French as ‘soupe,’ a term then adopted by the English language to describe the soggy bread dish.

However, soup itself dates back well before our Latin and French friends created the word. The earliest known example of soup cookware can be traced to the Xianrendong Cave in Jiangxi Province, China, around 20,000 BC. The ancient soup bowl discovered there had scorch marks on the inside, indicating that it was used to make some sort of hot liquid.

While scientists point to this as the earliest example of a soup vessel, others hypothesize that ancient Neanderthals dug pits, lined them with animal skins or guts, and filled them with water and hot rocks for boiling bones—a known Neanderthal practice. According to Soup Through the Ages author Victoria R. Rumble, ancient civilizations across the world used animal hides, various vessels or cauldrons, fire, and harvested ingredients to develop amazing “one-pot wonders” for thousands of years.

In the old world, soup was a staple for ancient Roman peasants and soldiers. Early humans in Egypt and Ethiopia combined grains, tubers, and meats to create thick stews called pottage. In medieval kitchens, cauldrons seasoned with leftover food bits were used to create a variety of soups throughout the week, each tasting different from the last.

In the new world, South America was heating up with pepper pot soups like Brazil’s cozido and Colombia’s ajiaco, born from a fusion of pre-Columbian and European influences. Indigenous tribes in North America commonly combined the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) with wild game and “earth nuts” to create hearty, flavorful soups. And as wars spread across Europe and North America during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, soup became an essential staple for all militaries.

“An army travels on its stomach. Soup makes the soldier.” — Napoleon Bonaparte

As society shifted further into the modern age, so did soup. By the 1800s, French chefs were known to be the leaders in creating delicious soups, and a pot-au-feu was essential cookware in both bourgeois and poor kitchens. These influences also made their way into newly formed cultures, such as the Cajun and Creole people of New Orleans, where soup became a daily custom.

The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought thousands of men out west, causing food scarcity and raising food prices. When food ran out, miners graciously relied on the local Native American tribes, who brought them acorn bread and buckeye soup.

In the first few decades of the 20th century, as the world moved through economic depressions and world wars, soup continued to dominate in most kitchens, as it could provide sustainable meals for families and soldiers who relied on limited supplies.

With soup fitting into every aspect of global life, it’s no wonder that in today’s world, soup has even made its way into the digital age. In Ali Francis’ Bon Appetit article “On Soup Internet, Everything is Cozy and Nothing Hurts,” she walks us through how soup has evolved into a digital star, reaching every corner of the internet—from K-pop songs that garner millions of streams, to dedicated online communities and #souptok, soup is constantly part of the conversation and doesn’t seem like it’s leaving anytime soon.

A Meal For Everyone

It’s truly astounding to see the transformation and duality soup has experienced throughout history. It has always existed for both the poor and the rich, a dish that can provide satisfaction regardless of whether you’re using expensive or budget-friendly ingredients—something that is evidently seen in the movement of soup season.

The most intriguing aspect of this trend is that it truly embodies the cozy feeling during colder weather. It invites warmth into your home and body during a time when warmth is constantly sought after. In Francis’ article, she cites Know Your Meme editor-in-chief Don Cladwell and writer Anne Helen Peterson, who both agree that soup’s tie to the “cozy aesthetic” could contribute to the natural instinct we feel to seek safety and coziness during chaotic times. The “Chick soup for the soul” quote couldn’t be any truer. And it’s chefs like Alfie who are constantly reminding us that this warmth is easily accessible. We are the drivers of that great big soup SUV, and we decide where to take it. Yes, you can make a soup with $50 lobster, or you can use that can of chickpeas you’ve had in your pantry for the last year. Regardless of what’s available, you can always create a soup that feels warm, feels special and makes you feel safe.

My Soup Season

This soup season, I plan to focus on a few key recipes that I can rotate during the colder months. With so many soup options available, I want to enjoy as much soup as I can without getting overwhelmed. By establishing some go-to soups, I’ll be prepared for any occasion.

Here’s what I want to make this season:

And before you feel overwhelmed by food magazines, writers, and content creators telling you that you HAVE to try this new soup or that new recipe, just remember: your soup season is uniquely yours. Your soupy draft picks don’t have to mirror anyone else’s because, regardless of what you choose, your shift into soup mode will always lead you to be a winner. Soup for everyone.

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Ally Troy
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