Fast forward to the 19th century and the watertight baskets are long gone. Eating soup suddenly got a little easier with the introduction of commercial, condensed canned varieties - early versions of the canned soup on our supermarket shelves today.
Stroll down the soup aisle at any supermarket and it's pretty clear Australians love the convenience of ready-made soup in flavours our ancestors could only dream about. Ready-made soup is quick and easy to prepare without having to shop for, chop up and boil all the ingredients on your day off. Pair it with some fresh crusty bread and it's the perfect meal for a busy workday lunch. Plus, you're reducing waste since ready-made soups can stay in the cupboard for quite some time.
I'm a huge fan of soup. Being a working mum with very limited time to dedicate to cooking during the day, I usually have a few soup can or pouches in the pantry, ready to go when I'm pushed for time or need an injection of extra vegetables into my diet. Coles Flavour Creations Homestyle Veg & Shredded Chicken Soup is my newest discovery. As the name suggests, it's packed with eight different veggies, plus RSCPA approved chicken.
Coles Flavour Creations Homestyle Veg & Shredded Chicken Soup is made in Australia and is a 2023 Product of the Year winner. It's easy to see why, as it's free of artificial colours or flavours, is low in calories at just over 60 per serve and tastes delicious. It's everything I look for in a soup - packed with vegetables, protein rich and with a base that is not too thick or too watery. I mopped it up with some high-fibre bread for an easy, filling lunch.
But not too filling that I couldn't fit in a little treat afterwards. I decided on a Coles Choc Brownie 90 Calorie Fibre Bake, paired with a Moccona Mochas Created with Cadbury. The Choc Brownie is rich in fudgy choc flavour without a heap of added sugar. My 5 year old daughter loves them too, so I popped one in her lunch box as a treat, meaning less time spent on shopping for brownie ingredients and baking in the kitchen.
Moccona Mochas are a must-try for any mocha fan. Made using quality Moccona coffee and one of the world's favourite chocolates, it's indulgence meets morning tea break, afternoon pick-me-up or evening spent on the couch. Plus, Moccona Mochas are easy to make - all you need is a mug and hot water and you are ready to go. No milk, coffee machine or pods required - you don't even have to leave the house to go to the coffee shop, saving you time and money on your daily mocha routine.
Alongside the soup, these products are Product of the Year recipients for 2023. This long-running consumer-voted award originated in France over 30 years ago and has become the world's biggest awards of its kind, with over 40 countries now participating.
This worldwide collective shares a common aim - to showcase the very best products on the market and award manufacturers for their innovation and quality. The Australian Product of the Year seal is backed by over 5,000 consumer votes, so are an easy shortcut for shoppers to quality products and time and money saved. The awards have become a reputable marketing tool for manufacturers, providing a boost in consumer awareness of brands and increasing distribution and sales.
Other 2023 winners include:
*Roll'd Vietnamese Sauces to bring an authentic taste of Vietnam to your home so you can make your own creations and avoid spending money on takeaway.
*Lyre's Pink Non-Alcoholic Spirits provides that lovely Pink Gin taste we all know yet minus the alcohol and fuzzy head the next day. The non-alcoholic movement has picked up in recent times, with more and more outlets and stores expanding their range and even celebrities such as Kylie Minogue getting on board, releasing a 0% sparkling rose.
You can find the full list of winners here and discover the best consumer-voted products in the one spot.
Budget friendly doesn't have to mean devoid of taste or missing out on your favourite cuisines. Bust open a can or pouch and enjoy a tasty soup for lunch today while spending less time in the kitchen, less money on takeaway and expensive work lunches.
