Soup for the Senses: Exploring the Role of Aromatherapy in Enhancing Soup Experience
Soup is delicious and hearty, but did you know that soup could also serve as an aromatherapy treatment? So, what is the role of aromatherapy in enhancing the soup experience? Breakthroughs in culinary practices can create a highly pleasing experience that provides a calming and pleasurable dining experience. Keep reading to learn more about how soup can be elevated by incorporating aromatherapy concepts.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a term used to describe the practice of using essential oils to create a desired effect on a person. One usually thinks of aromatherapy as inhaling a scent present in a space, but aromatherapy has more broad uses. Naturally, essential oils can be used to disperse a fragrance through a diffuser, warmer, or even with jewelry and home decor, but these oils are pretty diverse.
For instance, essential oils can be applied to parts of the skin to allow the body to absorb the oil and let the user inhale the scent simultaneously. Food-grade essential oils may also be ingested in small quantities.
However, caution must be taken when using food-grade essential oil. Some oils are potent and may have an adverse effect if used excessively. A few drops are usually all one would need in most applications. That can also include using essential oils in food preparations.
An excellent way to determine if the essential oils you plan to use in a dish are safe is to check the International Fragrance Association’s banned list. It features oils that aren’t good for cooking due to the risk of irritation to the internal or external body.
Some common essential oils to avoid using for food can include the following.
- Mustard
- Wintergreen
- Camphor
- Sassafras
- Horseradish
- Bitter Almond
This is not an exhaustive list but rather a general guide to provide insight into commonly misused essential oils with adverse side effects.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the essence of aromatic plants. They are derived by concentrating them and then extracting the liquid by cold pressing or using solvents with various parts of plants. An example would be pressing the stems or leaves, but many aspects of a plant may be used. However, some essential oils are only collected from a specific plant part, such as leaves or flowers.
These oils can be used in many preparations and have a very long shelf life, which makes them an excellent choice for stretching their usefulness. It’s also a better way to season dishes than fresh or dry herbs. Just remember that a very small amount can go a very long way.
How is Aromatherapy Used in Soup Dishes?
If you have yet to hear, many people use essential oils in their food applications. This approach works exceptionally well with soups. While it is well known that certain dishes can be considered aromatherapy in their rite (think chicken noodle soup and gumbo), boosting the experience with special essential oils can add a whole new dynamic to the meal.
A word of caution before trying aromatherapy via soup for yourself. Be sure to consult a trained and knowledgeable essential oil specialist to learn how much oil to use in your dishes safely. It’s important to note that some oils may be more potent than others and require very small doses to achieve the desired effect.
A soup preparation can be visually appealing and taste great, but those preparing the dish can tie in the sense of smell even more, to create an overall sense of comfort and well-being while enjoying the prepared soup.
Preparing to Use Essential Oils for Soups
Before you can use essential oils for soup dishes, you’ll need to make certain you use the right preparation. Always ensure you use food-grade essential oils. The packaging of the essential oil will not if it is food-grade or not. Never use an essential oil that doesn’t specifically have the food-grade notation on the packaging.
These oils may also indicate that they are 100% pure, which also means they are food-grade. In fact, essential oils are safe when used in the right quantities and may even be safer than using the whole form of herb, nut, berry, or fruit. In some instances, the extraction process makes the plant safer for consumption if there is toxicity in higher doses.
Storing your essential oil is also the key to keeping it fresh and ready to use for a long time. The oils must be stored in a room temperature space away from heat. It also helps to ensure the oil is stored in a dark glass bottle to help it stay fresh and prevent it from breaking down due to exposure to light. Don’t store your essential oils near your stove or other appliances that generate heat.
Use Cases for Soup Aromatherapy
An example of how essential oils can be used as aromatherapy includes rosemary oil in soups with hearty compositions or strong Italian flavorings. Beef soup would be a good choice, as would lasagna soup. In contrast, a touch of lemon essential oil can make a curry or chicken-based soup brighter and lighter.
You can use your essential oils by adding a single drop at once. That’s usually all that is needed. Sometimes, you may add another if the flavor is lighter, or you need a more robust profile. If the taste and scent seem very intense initially, you can allow your soup to cook on low for longer to mellow out the flavor and smell.
Use essential oils to replace your fresh and dry seasonings or add an extra flavor. If you store the oils appropriately and use them sparingly, they will last long and be helpful in many soups or dishes you want to elevate. Give soup aromatherapy a try and see for yourself how you can easily improve the smell and taste of a dish while enhancing the overall experience. You may find that it’s an exciting new way to prepare food for the senses.
