Minestron-eh? More than half of those in Belfast don't know what's in this classic soup
As we continue to embrace soup season, the nation is turning to classic winter warmers to beat the cold. However, new research from Crosse & Blackwell reveals that many people in Belfast are scratching their heads when it comes to the classic soup, Minestrone.
More than half of people in Belfast (58%) admit they’re confused as to what Minestrone soup actually is.
When asked to name ingredients typically found in Minestrone, classic components such as tomatoes (52%), pasta (48%) and onions (22%) were recognised by people in Belfast, but ingredients such as chicken (9%), bacon (3%) and eggs (3%) made surprising appearances.
Those in London appear to be the least knowledgeable, with nearly 2 in 3 (60%) of respondents unsure about Minestrone’s ingredients, with Scots the most informed when it comes to their minestrone with only 47% admitting their confusion about what it contains.
Across the UK, Gen Z appears especially oblivious, with over two thirds (69%) of 18 to 29-year-olds proving the most baffled about what goes into this Italian favourite; compared to slightly more sure Boomers, at 46% of over 60s.
Surprisingly, only two fifths (41%) of Gen Z are aware that pasta is found in Minestrone, despite it being a key ingredient of the soup, compared to over half (55%) of 30 to 44-year-olds and 66% of Boomers.
Ben Jones, Head of Soup Development at Crosse & Blackwell said: “Minestrone is a classic winter dish, even though our data shows it remains a bit of a mystery to many shoppers in Belfast.
“Traditional Minestrone soup is a warming Italian vegetable soup packed with pasta or rice, vegetables, and beans, in a flavourful, herby tomato broth. While the core ingredients remain consistent, it’s the vegetables that can vary depending on regional differences and family recipes.”
Unlike many canned Minestrone soups, Crosse & Blackwell’s Minestrone Soup provides two of your five-a-day. Bursting with chunky vegetables, pasta and a hearty tomato base, it delivers a nourishing bowl, perfect for the winter months.
With over 200 years of experience, Crosse & Blackwell take pride in creating hearty soups that always deliver on flavour.