Most People Didn’t Know That Condensed Soups Were Invented Right Here In New Jersey

Is there anything more comforting during the winter than a nice, steaming cup of soup? We all have our favorites - I'll never say no to a cup of Beef Barley - and the famous foodstuff is so versatile it even has many cold-weather varieties for the summer months. But did you know that soup, or at least the kind of soup many of us grew up with, has deep New Jersey roots? Most of us ate from those famous red-and-white cans of Campbell's Soup, and the condensed variety that turns into magic when combined with water was created right here in 1897. New Jersey is still the world's headquarters of the Campbell Soup Company, and the company's wide variety of condensed soups might be the most iconic food from New Jersey. Dig into the delicious history of Campbell's Soup below!

No matter what your favorite soup is, it probably has a version from Campbell's. This company has dominated canned soups for over a century.

And it's a New Jersey icon! The headquarters is based in Camden, and that's where condensed soups were invented in 1897.

They were created by John Thompson Dorrance, a chemist who created a method to maximize space and prolong the shelf life of canned soups. He would go on to be the President of Campbell's.

Condensed soups come in a thick form and rehydrate into the soup we all know and love when water is added.

In addition to making a steaming bowl of comfort when prepared right, they're also useful ingredients in casseroles like the iconic Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving.

No wonder every diner in NJ serves such great soups - soup is kind of in our DNA around here!

Did you know Campbell's condensed soup was invented in New Jersey? What's your favorite iconic food from New Jersey in the comments section! If you'd like to visit a diner that serves amazing soup - and has had many celebrity guests - check out our past coverage of the Reo Diner. And if you're planning to dig into some Campbell's soup or make your own, make sure you're well-stocked with soup spoons.