Tomato soup has so much to offer, it’s one of the kings of the culinary world. Satisfying, versatile, nutritious, and undeniably delicious – little else competes with tomato soup as an all-round soup-er food.
Eaten cold or warm, tomato soup is incredibly comforting and satisfying on its own. It’s also used as a key ingredient by different cultures in all sorts of mouthwatering dishes, from curries to stews to pasta bakes.
When you’re hungry or feeling under the weather, tomato soup can be the ideal pick-me-up your body needs. Similarly, few things beat a piping hot bowl of soothing tomato soup on a cold winter’s day.
As producers of the world-famous Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup, we’ve put together a list of tomato soup facts you may not be aware of.
7 Benefits of Tomato Soup
1. It’s Highly Versatile
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Few foods are more versatile and adaptable than tomato soup because you can customise it in a multitude of ways. Whether you like your tomato soup as it comes or prefer to experiment with other flavours and ingredients, tomato soup can be tweaked to suit any taste.
If you want to add a new twist to your tomato soup, you could adjust the seasoning. Include various ingredients like herbs, spices, or even a splash of Tabasco sauce to give it a powerful kick. You can even bulk out tomato soup by throwing in some vegetables or chicken, and voila – your soup has been transformed into a main course.
2. It Warms You Up on a Cold Day
When the weather’s so cold it chills your bones, few things are more comforting than a piping-hot bowl of tomato soup.
Nutritionists say that hot soup warms the body from within so that our temperature increases, even on a frosty day. This provides us with a long-lasting core warmth that spreads throughout the body and into your fingers and toes. Just another reasons why when the temperature plunges you should reach for some hot tomato soup.
3. It Makes You Feel Better
When you’ve got a cold or fever and you’re feeling under the weather, tomato soup acts like a soothing companion and will immediately perk you up. The steam from a hot bowl of tomato soup can make you breathe more easily by opening the nasal passages. Similarly, if you add spices or other ingredients such as black pepper to your tomato soup it can help reduce the severity of a sore throat.
Additionally, tomato soup is easy to eat and swallow, helping you when your throat is sore and solid foods are a challenge. If you’ve had an operation as well, it can be a gentle meal to enjoy as you recover. This is a great way to ensure children and adults are getting the food and energy they need when they’re feeling poorly and don’t fancy a full meal.
4. It’s A Great Recipe Base
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Not only is tomato soup delicious on its own, but it also makes a brilliant base ingredient for an almost endless range of dishes, recipes, and main courses from cuisines all over the world.
Various cultures use tomato soup to enhance the flavour of their food and give it a tasty tomatoey tang. If you’re looking for Asian inspiration, this heavenly simple chicken curry recipe is packed with spicy goodness and always hits the spot. Not only that, but it’s also a cheaper alternative to those expensive takeaways that can always be hit-and-miss.
Similarly, this hearty beef taco bake is great for sharing when you’ve got family and friends around for dinner and is guaranteed to get you in the Mexican mood. Vegetarians will also find there’s little more satisfying than this classic cheesy vegetable casserole that’s packed full of flavour and nutrients and will help you achieve your 5-a-day.
5. It’s Packed with Nutrients
Despite being relatively low in calories, tomatoes are positively bursting with nutrients and goodness.
One large tomato contains around 30 calories, 7 grammes of carbs, 2 grammes of fibre, 1.6 grammes of protein, and just 0.4 grammes of fat. At the same time, it also provides around 28% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, 12% of vitamin K, 8% of vitamin A, and 9% of potassium.
So, for every single tomato you eat, there’s a whole bunch of health benefits. And, given the number of tomatoes contained in tomato soup, that’s a lot of tasty goodness in a single serving.
6. It Has a Place in Art History
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Tomato soup was elevated from a staple food to cult status by the pop artist Andy Warhol. In his famous works of the 1960s, Warhol produced his iconic printed images of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup cans to portray his fascination with consumerism and advertising.
Warhol wanted his art to feature a product that was instantly recognisable. As tomato was Campbell’s first flavour of soup and a best seller, it became the star of the show and famous all over the world. So strong was Warhol’s passion for Campbell’s tomato soup that it’s been said that he ate it for lunch every day for 20 years at the height of his fame. Nowadays, a Warhol Campbell’s tomato soup original can sell for millions of dollars.
7. It’s Easy to Make
Achieving tomato soup paradise may seem too much of a challenge, but in fact it couldn’t be easier. All you need to create your own delicious tomato soup is a handful of staple ingredients and a little time and patience. If you’re inspired to make tomato soup, you can follow our recipe suggestion:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 chopped onion
2 crushed garlic cloves
2 large tins of chopped tomatoes
240ml of vegetable or chicken stock or water
1 teaspoon of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
60ml of cream
Fresh basil leaves, finely chopped.
Method:
- Heat the olive oil over a medium heat and cook the onion until translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Pour in the tomatoes and stock or water, add the sugar, and season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in the cream, taking care not to boil. Allow to cool slightly then blend everything together.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Don’t Have Time to Make Tomato Soup?
If you don’t have the time or confidence to create your own soup, canned tomato soup is a tasty, nutritious, and convenient alternative that’s guaranteed to serve up a perfect meal every time.
So, the next time you’re craving a warm bowl of tomato soup, simply grab a can opener and break into a can of Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato soup for a quick and delicious option.
Do You Know Any Other Benefits of Tomato Soup?
At Campbell’s, we love to hear your favourite soupy stories. So, if you’ve discovered a way to get the most out of your tomato soup, tag us in a photo using the buttons below. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to turn your soup into a main dish, our full range of delicious recipes will provide all the inspiration you need.