People often eat chicken soup on cold-rainy days when they are struggling to finish their daily tasks to provide a sense of comfort. Sometimes referred to as “Jewish penicillin,” chicken soup has a history of healing properties in Jewish and other traditions (Brenner). The concept of chicken soup is as old as the history of boiling water and domesticating fowl, with origins attributed to both Ancient Greece and China (Rosner). However, the first written record of the use of chicken soup was from Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher and physician in the Middle Ages. He suggested that the soup can be prescribed to treat a variety of illnesses and eliminate the “corrupted humours” said to lead to sadness (Rosner).

The soup itself evokes feelings of nostalgia, nourishment, and connection to one’s family or culture. Its simplicity allows the chef to add their special twist. It’s a canvas for incorporating your culture and personal preferences. In Thailand, it’s tom kha kai which adds coconut and tangy lime. Mexican culture adds tomato, unique seasonings, and crunchy tortilla strips to create a spicy chicken tortilla soup. Or, as commonly made in my household, the flavorful broth is combined with carrots, celery, and a fluffy matzo ball to produce Jewish chicken matzo ball soup (Brenner). Family recipes are cultural heirlooms bearing memories and comfort. In my mind, nothing compares to my mom’s chicken soup. Its specific aromatic broth with added turmeric and ginger tastes unlike any chicken soup.

I started to help my mother make the soup, which allowed me to see the magic behind the medicine. She would effortlessly create a delectable dish relying not on precise measurements, but rather on trial and error. This is what makes it so special: it is truly made with care and love. Even during my battles with a chronic stomach illness and the lows of the COVID pandemic, preparing a nourishing bowl of soup with my mom created a safe haven allowing me to heal. I hope to continue this tradition and pass it on to my children. As I grow older I will be able to perfect my version of creating this delicacy which will hopefully provide my future family with the same restorative magic that my mom’s chicken soup has provided me.

Works Cited

Brenner, Leslie. “A Global Remedy: Chicken Soup Recipes from around the World.” Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.dallasnews.com/food/cooking/2023/01/30/a-global-remedy-chicken-soup-recipes-from-around-the-world/.

Luper, Samantha. Chicken Noodle Soup In Airport. 13 Oct 2023. Author’s personal collection.

Luper, Samantha. Matzo Ball Soup. 26 Aug 2023. Author’s personal collection.

Luper, Melissa. Chicken Soup Creation. 13 Mar 2023. Author’s personal collection.

Olver, Lynne. “The Food Timeline: History Notes--Soup. The Food Timeline.” https://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsoups.html. Accessed 31 Oct. 2023.

Rennard, Barbara O., et al. “Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro.” Chest, vol. 118, no. 4, Oct. 2000, pp. 1150–57. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1378/chest.118.4.1150.

Rosner, Fred. “Therapeutic Efficacy of Chicken Soup.” Chest, vol. 78, no. 4, Oct. 1980, pp. 672–74. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1378/chest.78.4.672.