National Split Pea Soup Week

National Split Pea Soup Week - November 12-18, 2024

Food & Beverage Cooking Food

Pea soup for the soul…why not? This delectable dish embodies the simple vitalities of life – health, warmth, and alluring deliciousness. With its eclectic mixture of colorful vegetables, wholesome meats, and of course, fresh peas, split pea soup seduces the senses, and makes anyone within reach eager for a taste. November 10-17, celebrate National Split Pea Soup Week by enjoying this hearty meal with its inviting aroma and welcoming warmth.

National Split Pea Soup Week timeline

1867

Instant pea soup invented

One of the very first instant products was a pea soup product, invented by Johann Heinrich Grüneberg in Germany.

1765

Pea soup gets a nursery rhyme

Pease porridge hot, Pease porridge cold, Pease porridge in the pot, Nine days old.

500 B.C.

Pea soup is sold for the first time

Greek and Roman vendors used to sell it in the streets of Athens.

1700 B.C.

Pea soup invented

There is speculation that pea soup was served in Denmark as early as the Bronze Age, when dried peas and cabbage became popular for the long winters there.

5 Pea Soup Folklore Facts Prove It's More Than Just A Meal

  1. It goes back to the Greeks

    Split Pea Soup is mentioned in the play The Birds by Aristophanes, an Athenian playwright.

  2. Pea soup has a “saying”

    Outside Francophone (Canada), pea soup is sometimes served with johnny cake. This pairing spawned the saying: "pea soup and johnny cake makes a Frenchman's belly ache.”

  3. Pea soup was made for winter sport enthusiasts

    Koek en zopie outlets (small food and drinks stalls), were installed during winters along frozen canals, ponds and lakes in the Netherlands to cater to ice skaters, serving pea soup as a savory snack.

  4. Pea soup helps weathermen

    The “pea-souper” is a type of fog that was once prevalent in London and other cities in the United Kingdom, so named because it was greenish and very thick, like pea soup.

  5. Pea soup was used as a weapon

    Swedish king Eric XIV (1533-1577) is said to have died after eating arsenic-poisoned pea soup…but don’t worry, he didn’t have a lot of friends.

National Split Pea Soup Week Activities

  1. Host an “Around the World” potluck

    Split pea soup is subtly different when its recipe is authentic to a specific region and culture. Host a party where everyone brings a different pea soup dish that pairs with a particular country and enjoy a collection of distinct tastes from around the world.

  2. Take a cooking class for soup

    Sure there are many people who claim to cook, but how many can say, “I’m an expert”? Become a master of this specific cooking division, and wow your friends and family with your savvy.

  3. Create your own recipe

    Due to pea soup’s diverse background, it offers a genuine opportunity for exploration and creativity. Throw caution to the wind, and experiment with new recipe ideas. Infinite possibilities await, and who knows what you could discover?

Why We Love National Split Pea Soup Week

  1. It’s comfort food

    Split pea soup is comfort food at its best. Enjoy this savory dish on a cold winter night, sitting by a fire with family and friends, and let your worries drift away.

  2. It’s healthy

    Split pea soup provides essential nutrients and vitamins essential to a healthy body. It is especially rich in dietary fiber, potassium, and Vitamin K, which is a key component to help the body recover from injury.

  3. It’s easy or complicated – your choice

    You don’t have to be a master chef to prepare split pea soup, but you can certainly explore more complex recipes if you wish. Split pea soup, at its most basic level, is quite simple. That said, if you feel adventurous, there are endless nuances and twists you can add to your dish to make it unique for your lucky guests.

Also on Tue Nov 12, 2024...