Cold soup

Cold Soup is a type of soup that is served chilled, as opposed to the traditional hot or warm soups. Cold soups are a staple in many cuisines around the world, including Spanish, Russian, and French. They are often consumed during the warmer months, as they can be refreshing and hydrating.

History

The history of cold soup is diverse and spans many cultures. In Spain, the origins of gazpacho, a cold tomato-based soup, can be traced back to the Moorish occupation. In Russia, okroshka, a cold soup made with kvass, has been a traditional dish for centuries. Vichyssoise, a French-style cold leek and potato soup, was actually invented in the United States in the early 20th century.

Types of Cold Soup

There are many types of cold soup, each with its own unique ingredients and preparation methods. Some of the most popular include:

• Gazpacho: A Spanish cold soup made with raw, blended vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. It is often served with a side of bread.

• Okroshka: A Russian cold soup that combines raw vegetables, boiled potatoes, eggs, and a cooked meat such as beef, veal, sausages, or ham with kvass.

• Vichyssoise: A French-style soup that is traditionally made with leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock. It is usually served cold, but can also be eaten hot.

• Ajoblanco: Another Spanish cold soup, ajoblanco is made with bread, crushed almonds, garlic, water, olive oil, salt, and sometimes grapes or melon.

Preparation and Serving

The preparation of cold soup often involves the blending or pureeing of ingredients, and then chilling the soup in the refrigerator for several hours. Some cold soups, like gazpacho, are made with raw ingredients, while others, like vichyssoise, require cooking some of the ingredients before blending.

When serving cold soup, it is often garnished with fresh herbs, croutons, or a drizzle of cream or olive oil. Cold soups are typically served as a starter course, but can also be served as a light main course.

See Also

• List of soups
• List of Spanish dishes
• List of Russian dishes
• List of French dishes