Watercress Soup
Watercress soup is a light, peppery, and refreshing soup made primarily from garden cress or watercress, often blended with a simple broth and sometimes potatoes or leeks for body. It is a classic comfort dish found in many European cuisines, particularly in the UK and Ireland, where it's a popular way to use this fast-growing, peppery green.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is generally low in calories (around 50-100 per serving), carbohydrates, and fat, but is a good source of vitamins K and C, as well as antioxidants. Its nutritional profile is light and cleansing, making it a nutritious starter or light meal.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 45 kcal |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
| Carbs | 5.5 g |
| Fat | 1.5 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Vitamin K | 150 mcg |
| Vitamin A | 180 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Folate | 55 mcg |
| Calcium | 60 mg |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a humble, home-style soup that highlights a peppery green often overlooked in favor of milder lettuces. Nutritionally, it's unique for packing a significant dose of vitamin K into a very low-calorie, hydrating format, and the peppery compounds in the cress are studied for their potential health benefits.
