Peanut butter, popcorn and coffee are amongst the most bizarre toppings Brits are pairing with their soup as an unexpected new craze takes the internet by storm.
Researchers have uncovered that millions of soup lovers are searching for peculiar combinations online, including peanut butter with mixed bean chilli soup and salted popcorn and tomato soup. Hot honey with cheese and tomato soup also piqued the nation’s interest, as did anchovies in minestrone.
Inspired by this growing trend, Crosse & Blackwell is taking experimentation to the next level, exploring the development of three exciting new products that combine their classic soups with unique flavours, including chocolate and cornflakes.
It comes as data by Crosse & Blackwell unveiled that over half (53 per cent)1 of Brits said they wanted to spice up weekly lunches with two fifths (39 per cent) saying they’d give an unconventional topping a go if they seen it in an advert.
When quizzed on combinations they’ve already tried or would be willing to experiment with, almost a quarter of Brits (24 per cent) wanted ‘flaming’ hot crisps on their tomato soup with 21 per cent naming salted popcorn as their topping of choice when it comes to the popular flavour.
Dill pickle chips as ‘croutons’ proved a leading choice for 23 per cent of the UK, while a fifth (20 per cent) fancied their broccoli and stilton with cornflakes and 18 per cent chose chocolate to complement their mixed bean chilli soup.
But it’s soup fans in Swansea that led the charge for ‘flaming’ hot crisps with half of the region naming it their go-to topping. Leicester followed second at 39 per cent with Glaswegians a close third at 38 per cent.
When it comes to pairing popcorn with tomato soup, 35 per cent of people in Cambridge opted for the unusual dish with over a quarter (27 per cent) in both Birmingham and Manchester giving it the nod. A quarter of curious participants in London admitted wanting to give it a go or having tried it already.
Crosse & Blackwell soup development Chef, Ben Jones, has jumped on the trend this festive season as almost a third (32 per cent) of Brits admit they’re most likely to try an unconventional topping on Christmas Day.
Taking inspiration from popular online searches and unusual pairings voted for by the nation, Ben is urging soup lovers to give these three winter warmers a go based on complementary flavour profiles:
- Cornflake Crunch Broc & Stilton (Broccoli & Stilton soup topped with cornflakes)
- ‘Flaming’ Hot Tomato Soup (Cream of Tomato topped with ‘flaming’ hot crisps of your choice)
- Chocolate Mixed Bean Chilli (Mixed Bean Chilli soup topped with chocolate or cocoa powder)
And Crosse & Blackwell is taking this innovation one step further, as it explores the development of three new unconventional soups with obscure flavours, to complement its popular range.
The brand is aiming to bring creativity to soup bowls across the country and needs the nation’s help to do so. Brits are being encouraged to try the bizarre pairings over Christmas and reveal their favourites on social media, so Crosse & Blackwell can develop the unique products in line with what soup lovers really want.
Jones, comments: “Cornflakes on Broccoli & Stilton might sound playful, but there’s real flavour science behind it — the toasty crunch cuts through the creaminess, and that hint of sweetness softens stilton’s bold edge. It’s the kind of simple contrast that makes every mouthful more satisfying. The same goes for topping a creamy tomato soup with flaming hot crisps: the chilli kick naturally boosts the tomato’s acidity, while the crunch keeps each spoonful exciting. And a dusting of chocolate on mixed bean chilli? That’s a long-standing chef’s trick — cocoa deepens savoury flavours, rounds out spices and gives the whole bowl that slow-cooked richness we all love.”
“This trend shows that Brits aren’t just experimenting for the fun of it — they’re leaning into combinations that genuinely work. So if you’re curious, trust your tastebuds and give these twists a try. They’re unexpected, yes, but each one brings balance, warmth and a little bit of festive comfort to the table.”
Whether it’s embracing the crunch with your Broccoli & Stilton, braving the fiery heat with your Cream of Tomato or indulging in chocolate-dusted Mixed Bean Chilli, each combination is rooted in culinary science.
Visit Crosse & Blackwell on Instagram and vote for your favourite combo to become a reality. Fancy giving it a go at home? Show us your creations by tagging @crosseandblackwell_uk and we’ll share the most creative.
