FOOD NEWS
The Popular Brand That Caused America's Love Of Broccoli Cheddar Soup
BY JULIA HOLLAND
Broccoli cheddar soup is an American invention, popularized by Campbell's in the 1990s after a campaign spurred by then President George Bush Sr.'s broccoli disdain.
The campaign, "How to Get President Bush to Eat Broccoli," reached thousands of civilians, and the multi-thousand dollar prize winner was California resident Pricilla Yee.
Yee blended the soup with heavy cream, mayonnaise, aromatics, and potatoes. Yee's recipe inspired Campbell's to create its own broccoli soup blends, like broccoli cheese.
Yee and Campbell's response to broccoli soup naysayers involved hiding the vegetable's texture and flavor with rich, creamy dairy ingredients, notably cheddar cheese.