In the 21st century, the rise of the foodie has been accompanied by a growing number of websites and social media groups dedicated to bringing the best in soup recipes to as many interested people as possible. Among the many online sources open to those exploring different varieties of soup are those detailing both the rich history and cultural differences found in different soup dishes.

The Main Varieties of Soup

Soup can be characterized by two main food groups of clear and thick soups created in different ways to specific specifications. Soup is generally made in liquid form, with many created in similar ways to traditional stews with a number of ingredients added to a liquid and cooked down to create a broth; in many recipes for soup, an important ingredient is a thickening agent used to add texture to the majority of soups.

In general, the classification of soup has been made with clear soups regarded as originating in France and served both warm and cold. A different option is a thick soup, which can be created with a range of different ingredients including meat, seafood, vegetables and cream.

Recipes for Soup

Different soups have been developed over the years to include a range of options with different names to explain their specific variety, including cold soups and thicker versions.

• Bouillon The term bouillon means to boil and refers to a style of French soup created from meats and vegetables boiled to create a form of broth.
• Consomme The consomme has been a major part of French cuisine for centuries and is made from meat and vegetable stock purified using a process known as clarifying.
• Purees This style of soup is generally created from vegetables and legumes cooked, pressed and blended to form a thick consistency.
• Bisques Seafood is the common ingredient in a bisque, with the shells of crustaceans used in these soup recipes ground into a fine paste to add texture to the dish.
• Cream Cream soups use a variety of ingredients to add flavor, with milk, eggs and butter also used to thicken the soup to a rich consistency.

The Origins of Soup

Soups have been a major part of the cuisine of a range of nations across the planet dating back as far as 20,000 B.C. The term soup itself comes from the French word for broth and refers to the fact the majority of early soup recipes were created from animal bones and meats; as early as the 16th century, the people of France were buying and selling soups from street stalls under the name "something restoring," which later spawned the name restaurant.

Top 5 Routes for "Soup"

1. Countryliving.com The Country Living website contains a range of soups and different recipe options divided into categories for ease of use, including vegetarian soups and different types of meats and poultry.
2. 101cookboooks.com A blog dedicated to providing the reader with a range of recipes for soup tried and tested by the author.
3. Pinterest.com This social media platform offers a number of different recipe options generated by users and from chefs or major retailers. Images and reviews add to the high quality of this site.
4. Thespruce.com Healthy recipes for soup can be found through this site offering a number of impressive options for making vegetable soups.
5. Myrecipes.com A range of soup and stew recipes can be explored with different options available in various categories across the site.