Cream of Mushroom: From the Bisque Kitchen to Hot Bowls
Ingredients
Cream of mushroom, a classic form of comfort, warmth and deliciousness all in one bowl. And my personal favorite. But knowing how to make it in the comfort of your home makes it so much better. Like all food, the richness and irresistible flavour profile of cream of mushroom soup lies in the ingredients that are being used to make it. Ingredients in cream of mushroom will include chopped up mushrooms, a variety of sauces, some butter, cream, chicken stock, and flour. And the beautiful thing I love about about cooking is that you can switch up the ingredients to make more delicious variants!
History
It's not secret that Cream of Mushroom soup is a culinary art, and it's loved by many all around the world. But how did Cream of Mushroom soup even come about? The main ingredient of mushrooms was an international root in ancient civilizations, including as early as 1200 BC in China, ancient Greece and Rome, and even Russia. But the concept of creamy soups generaly came from France in the mid-18th century. Cream soups soon began gaining popularity over the 19th century in France, England, and America. Then in the early 20th century (The American Revolution Canned Soup era), the Campbell Soup Company launched the iconic "Cream of Mushroom" condensed soup, which quickly became a staple in homes all across North America due to the product's affordability and shelf-life. It transformed the gourmet item into an every-day comfort food. Around the same time was when this dish started spreading globally, with all kinds of cultures adding their own variations to it, infusing local flavours such as soy, chilli, ginger, or curry.
Today, it's revived by chefs as an artisanal dish by chefs, using ingredients to elevate the flavour profile whie still preverving that signature warmth. Chefs today have resorted to using ingredients like wild, exotic mushrooms, plant based alternatives such as cashew cream or oat milk, ultimately presenting it as nostalgic and elevated.
Comfort Food
There is a reason why cream of mushroom soup is considered a comfort food, both in science and in emotion. Asides from it's hot temperature, it provides a creamy, earthy flavour that evokes a range of different emotions in a lot of folks. Some say it's nostalgic, for others, it could be contentment and solace. For other it dives much deeper. This soup is known for it's warm aroma and savory taste, so it really provides a true sense of comfort when you need it the most. But taste alone doesn't make a dish, the effects it has on the human body plays a role too. Cream of mushroom soup helps reduce inflammation and soothe an upset stomach due to it's bland flavour and smooth texture. But if you ask me, I think what's beautiful about this soup is that it doesn't need complicated recipes or expensive ingredients to bring it justice. Sometimes simplicity is comfort. But overall, it's considered a healthy and comforting option.
Location
There are a lot of places cream of mushroom soup is consumed at, North America aside. This soup is global, and variations of soup heavily depend on the country, places in Europe or Asia will have their own alterations and additions to it. Hungary, for instance, adds ingredients like paprika and caraway to give it a slightly spicy flavour. Japan's version, Kinoko Miso Soup is miso-based with their unique mushrooms like shiitake, shimeji or enoki. India's Mushroom Shorba is spiced and creamy, inspired by Mughlai cuisine, it's considered a true fusion of indian spaices with french-style consistency. The Russian version likes to add ingredients like potatoes, onions and dill, and they use clear/light broth, opposite to the creamy texture. Cream of Mushroom is embraced more than you think!
