Split pea is a soup that has a history going back more than 2,000 years. At our SoLé Soups Studio, our split pea is one of the shining stars of all of our homemade soups, full of flavor, nutrients, and a rich global history.

The Known Origins Of Pea Soup

Pea soups are popular in many cultures across the globe, but our known origins of pea soup rest in ancient Greece and Italy. It’s known that these cultures were cultivating peas in the years 500-400 BC, and that pea soups were a popular offering from street vendors on the streets of Athens and Rome. In the very early versions of a food truck, chefs of that time were capitalizing on the affordability, nutrition, and flavor found in peas to people walking around town stopping for a hot lunch to break up their day.

Pea soup didn’t stay in this region, and pea soups continued to be popular during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. In the late 18th century, a still popular nursery rhyme emerged from Britain, “Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold, pease porridge in the pot, nine days old.” Pease porridge referred to a thick version of what we call pea soup, an early ancestor to our modern split pea!

In the 19th century pea soups were considered to be a hearty and simple staple for farmers and common people throughout the world. In Germany, a pea soup would be eaten with bacon or sausage and served with dark rye bread. In Canada, farmers would use yellow peas instead of green. Pea soup was a popular dish for feeding the military in Poland, and people in Finland and Sweden would eat their pea soup with pork and pancakes on Thursdays to prepare for Friday fasts. Since colonial times, people in the United States would enjoy their pea soups with pork, carrot, and dried split peas alongside fresh bread.

Today’s Split Pea Soup

A fan favorite of our homemade soups at SoLé Soups, our split pea is thick, hearty, and rich with the authentic flavor of fresh split peas. Vegan and gluten-free, it can be enjoyed by anyone as each bite packs a serious nutritious punch. Naturally high in fiber, low in fat, and rich in protein, it’s a lunch that’s perfect for keeping full and satisfied throughout the day without feeling weighed down.