The Origins Of Grilled Cheese And Tomato Soup

Sometimes, a few food items pair so perfectly that it becomes hard to imagine them with anything else. One of the food dishes is incomplete without the other. Yet, at some point, they were served as a single dish before they became a classic pair. Most of these are classic pairs from around the globe.

Some of these classics were discovered recently, like, the history and evolution of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich during the early 20th century. Mixing spaghetti and meatballs did not come about much earlier, likely sometime after the 1880s.

Just like these, the comforting flavour of grilled cheese with tomato soup is another unexpectedly modern creation. This dish is a nostalgic dish that was 1st emerged in the 20th century, between the Great Depression and post-World War II, giving rise to the dish.

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This pair was created because of its pragmatic nature. Toasted cheese sandwiches became popular in the 20th century because of the economic recession and the popularity of military rations.

Tomato soup also followed the rise during the same time, because of its convenient and affordable nature. It was served in school cafeterias and governmental organisations. Part from its taste and texture, people also became fond of tomato soup for its vitamin C content. 

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The Rise Of Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup During Food Industrialization

Grilled cheese and tomato soup turned out to be an ideal American meal, and its popularity continued to rise during the food industrialisation in the US. The key ingredients of this dish were:

Also Read: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Processed Cheese

The story began with processed cheese, invented by the Kraft company (back then known as J.L. Kraft Bros. & Company). This cheese, designed to last longer than any regular one, was first given to the troops during World War I. After that, it became available in the market for people.  

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Sliced Bread

In 1928, just over a decade after processed cheese became available, slice bread made its debut. This innovation quickly became popular and made preparing sandwiches, adding processed cheese. Naming the sandwich as “grilled cheese”.

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Canned Tomato Soup

While grilled cheese became a popular choice in America, the main element of the pair had been in the picture since 1897. It was not until later that it became that perfect complement to grilled cheese. The soup can was loved by all from kids to old aged people. 

A Changing Diet

With time, a lot of things changed from lifestyle to food choice, but the pairing of grilled cheese with tomato soup never left the trend. During these rapidly changing times, grilled cheese and tomato soup emerged as a popular meal, symbolising the evolution of American cuisine. 

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The convenience and simplicity of this pairing reflect the broader trends of industrialisation and urbanisation that were transforming the way Americans ate.