Eating Canned Soup: Myths, Cold Consumption, and Reheating
Eating Canned Soup: There are different myths and speculations surrounding canned soups. Some people say they are unhealthy, while others say they contain preservatives and toxins. These myths have made many people skeptical about eating canned soups.
Soup is an incredible meal that can be eaten any time of the season. It is rich in flavors, hearty, filling, and packed with nutrients. And although you can make your soup at home, you don’t always have to. Sometimes you may be in a rush and need a quick meal, and that’s where canned soup comes in. canned soup can save you time and the hassle of having to cook soup from scratch.
Regarding canned soup, are there rules concerning how it’s supposed to be eaten? Do you have to reheat the canned soup, or can you eat it cold? Stay locked!
Can You Eat Canned Soup Cold?
Yes, you can eat canned soup cold. Most times, canned soup has been previously cooked before packaging. Therefore, you can eat it cold and don’t have to reheat it.
If you don’t feel like cooking or are in a rush, you can eat canned soup cold straight from the can. To do so, use a spoon to scoop the soup from the can, and don’t drink directly. Doing so can see you cut your lips.
Eating Canned Soup to check the type of canned soup you have: if it’s regular or condensed soup. For regular soup, you can take it as it is. As for the condensed soup this one, you will have to dilute it with water. So, transfer it to a soup bowl and add water. Adding water to the soup may require you to reheat it. Otherwise, your soup will appear watery and taste watered down.
Heating the soup will enhance its aroma and flavor so that it tastes as good as the one prepared from scratch. But if you decide to eat your constituted soup without reheating, know that it won’t be as delicious and savory as the one reheated. But there are ways you can rectify this. You can add freshly ground black pepper to give the soup a kick or lemon juice/vinegar to add a tang and brighten the soup’s taste.
Before eating any canned foods, ensure you examine the package nicely. Look for swellings, dents, and rust. Discard any can that is dented, has rust, or is swollen. Don’t eat the soup, as it could be contaminated with harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum, which can cause severe food poisoning called botulism.
As for the “use-by date,” don’t bother much about it. Canned foods don’t spoil, but their freshness and qualities like aroma, taste, texture and nutritional value deteriorate with time. According to the USDA website, Marriane Gravely, Technical Information Specialist, says, “most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely, and canned foods can keep for years, so long as they’re in good condition – that is, the can has no dents, rust, or swelling.”
So, if your canned soup is past its use-by date and the can has no dent, swellings, or rust, don’t hurry to discard it. Open it, smell the contents and have a taste. If it kicks in well, go ahead and enjoy it.
How Can You Reheat Canned Soup
There are several ways of reheating the canned soup. They include:
On The Stove
Reheating canned soup on the stove is among the best ways of reheating. Why:
- It allows you to have control over your soup’s temperatures. Here, you can reheat it to be as hot as you’d like.
- You can reheat the vegetable or meat chunks that come with the soup more evenly. That’s so because you have better control of temperatures and stir can continuously when reheating.
- You can add condiments, spices, or other ingredients to the soup, enhancing the taste and aroma.
To reheat the canned soup on the stove, transfer it to a pan and simmer it over medium heat. You can stir it every 30-40 secs to distribute heat evenly. How long the reheating should last depends on your stove, pan, and the amount of soup. But as a step guide, 3-4 to 5-6 minutes should be okay.
In The Microwave
Reheating canned soup in the microwave doesn’t give you the freedom to add additional ingredients to enhance the soup’s flavor. Heat is also not evenly distributed as there’s no stirring.
To reheat canned soup in the microwave:
- Transfer the soup to a microwaveable bowl.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a small opening.
- Reheat for about 60 secs and remove it from the microwave.
- Stir and taste for hotness. If it’s not hot to your preference, continue heating for 30 secs intervals until you achieve your desired hotness.
How Can You Enhance The Flavor Of Your Canned Soup
Here are a few ways of making your canned soup taste better:
Simmer With Pepper, Salt, And Vinegar
Simmering canned soup with salt, vinegar, and pepper will give it a tangy and savory flavor, perfect for soups. When reheating the soup, season it with a bit of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and one tablespoon of white or apple cider vinegar. Next, simmer the soup with the ingredients over medium-high heat for 5 minutes while stirring continuously, then serve.
Add Blue Cheese
Adding blue cheese to your canned soup gives it a tangy taste and creamy texture. Doing so is simple. Once you’re through reheating the soup, turn off the heat source. Add blue cheese to the soup and stir until it melts and mixes with the other ingredients.
Garnish With Fresh Herbs
Garnishing your soup with herbs adds color, flavor, and texture. You can use cilantro, basil, dill, thyme, etc. Place the finely chopped herbs at the bottom of your soup bowl and pour the soup over. Or pour the soup into a bowl and top it with finely chopped herbs before serving.
Conclusion
Eating Canned Soup You can eat canned soup cold as it’s precooked, although preheating it is better. Reheating help enhance the soup’s flavor, texture, and aroma.