Developed by our founders back in 1897, condensed soup has been a staple in cupboards ever since. For those not used to cooking with condensed soup, it can be a strange product. However, the amount of soup produced from one can, plus the endless possibilities of how you can use condensed soup, makes it a firm favourite in households across the world!
What is Condensed Soup?
Condensed soup is a type of soup that has minimal water to form a thick stock or cream like consistency. To cook, you add equal parts of soup to water/cream and cook through. This leaves a rich and flavourful soup.
A cream-based soup is often a popular choice for a condensed soup, as the rich base and creaminess means that when cooked, it doesn’t become excessively watery. Other popular choices are those with a carb in, such as chicken noodle soup, rice or potato-based soup. Beef stock or other meat stock-based soups is also a widely favoured choice. These all form popular bases for condensed soup as the ingredients condense and reheat well.
What’s the Difference Between Condensed Soup and Regular Soup?
Condensed soup is essentially soup boiled down to a thick stock, with most of the volume of water removed. If you took a can of regular soup and boiled it down to half the volume, you’d get the same thickness as condensed soup.
1 can of condensed soup prepared = 2 cans of regular soup
How is Condensed Soup Made?
Condensed soup is made by mixing all the ingredients together and simmering it until a thick stock is formed. Once the thick stock has been created, it is then mixed with thickeners and some final flavourings to make sure it tastes as good as it looks! It’s then packaged into cans and sent off to stores.
Obviously, Campbell’s Soup makes thousands of tins of condensed soup a day on a huge scale, so our method of cooking is very different to what you may do at home, but the principle is the same.
The History of Condensed Soup
Condensed soup was created by Dr John T. Dorrance, who was our CEO at the time. Arthur Dorrance, nephew of Dr Dorrance, had trained at the University of Gottingen in Germany and returned to America to work with his uncle.
Arthur persuaded John to let him work at Campbell’s, even buying his own laboratory gear and working for the small sum of $7.50 a week! After a year of trying, condensed soup was made, and the soup industry was changed forever. It was hugely popular and has been ever since.
And, in 1990, our 20 billionth can of Campbell’s Cream of Tomato Condensed Soup was made.
You can read more about our history here.
Why is Condensed Soup So Popular?
Condensed soup is so popular because of its long shelf life, ability to cook with and rich flavouring. It’s a popular base for many dishes, as well as being a well loved and filling soup. And because one can goes a long way, less cupboard room makes for a lot more meals!
Where Can I Buy Condensed Soup?
As the original inventors of condensed soup, Campbell’s is your go to for condensed soup. You can find our products stocked across the country in supermarkets and in online shops.
FAQs
In 1897, Dr John T. Dorrance, a chemist at the Campbell Soup Company invented its famous condensed soup. Condensing soup allows it to be packaged into a smaller can and sold at a lower price than other canned soups. The soup is usually doubled in volume by adding a “can full” of water or milk.
What does "condensed soup" mean? ›
Condensed soup is essentially soup boiled down to a thick stock, with most of the volume of water removed. If you took a can of regular soup and boiled it down to half the volume, you'd get the same thickness as condensed soup. 1 can of condensed soup prepared = 2 cans of regular soup.
What has happened to condensed soup? ›
But now the famous red and white cans of Campbell's Condensed Soup are to disappear from supermarket shelves across Britain. By the end of December all Campbell's cans will have vanished, to be replaced by ones with new labels bearing the message: 'Soon to be Batchelors.
What is condensed tomato soup? ›
Condensed soup is factory-made by mixing all the soup's ingredients together and simmering it until that beautiful, thick stock is formed. Once the stock has been created, it is then mixed with thickeners and some final flavorings, poured into those nifty cans, and sent off to the adoring public.
What is the history of soup? ›
Based on archeological evidence, it turns out that the very first bowl of soup was cooked in 20,000 BC and became part of the everyday menu from as early as 6000 BC. After the invention of clay pots and bowls, making soup was easy! It became a part of cuisines all over the world.
Who makes condensed soups? ›
Campbell's® Condensed soups are the start to a great meal. Whether you're making a holiday meal or just pulling together a quick dinner—we've got you covered.
What condensed food means? ›
adjective [usu ADJ n] Condensed liquids have been made thicker by removing some of the water in them. ... condensed mushroom soup.
What is the meaning of condensed form? ›
adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun] A condensed book, explanation, or piece of information has been made shorter, usually by including only the most important parts.
Why is condensed soup cheaper? ›
Because they are condensed. Why pay for water, the freight to ship water, and the packaging for water when you have water at home? If you desire you can add milk instead of water making the soup richer. Or you can add chicken broth.
Does anyone make condensed soup? ›
CAMPBELLS CONDENSED SOUP: Cosy up with the ultimate comfort food.
While canned goods past their "best-by" date may not taste optimal, there's no real health risk in consuming canned goods as long as they remain in good condition. Here's why: The food in the container is commercially sterile and a vacuum seal prevents any new bacteria from getting in, so it will not spoil.
Can you eat condensed soup by itself? ›
Serving Ideas
A bowl of our Cream of Chicken Soup served with fresh baked bread is hearty enough to serve on its own, or you can beef it up with whatever's fresh in your kitchen. Condensed soups are also the perfect base for casseroles and starters for sauces, so your imagination is the limit.
What is the meaning of condensed soup? ›
noun. : soup that has had much of the water removed and that is served by heating it with milk or water.
What Campbell's soup is no longer made? ›
Campbell's soup is a staple in many pantries around the world and is famous for its continued presence. Unfortunately, Campbell's Chicken Verde Soup fell out of production sometime around 2008.
Why was condensed soup invented? ›
In the late 1800s soups were inexpensive to make but very expensive to ship. Dorrance realized that if he could remove soup's heaviest ingredient―water―he could create a formula for condensed soup and slash the price of soup from 30 to 10 cents per can.
What is the history of Campbell's vegetable soup? ›
Foundation and early history
The company was started in 1869 by Joseph A. Campbell, a fruit merchant from Bridgeton, New Jersey, and Abraham Anderson, an icebox manufacturer from South Jersey. They produced canned tomatoes, vegetables, jellies, soups, condiments, and minced meats.
