- Hippocrates soup is a gentle, soothing soup made entirely from vegetables. It is said to be very easy on the digestive system while providing a healthy dose of vitamins and dietary fiber.
- The basic ingredients are sweet potatoes, tomatoes, onions, celery, Japanese leeks, parsley, and water. These ingredients release so much natural umami that you’ll find the flavor is perfectly rich even without adding salt or other seasonings.
- The secret to achieving the best flavor and making it easy to eat is simmering it slowly over low heat for 2 hours. For a silky-smooth texture, we recommend blending the mixture and then passing it through a fine strainer.
- We’ve also included tips on different ways to enjoy this, how to store it, and important precautions for those with pre-existing conditions or specific health concerns. It’s a great option for beating summer fatigue or whenever you want to give your digestive system a rest.
**Hippocrates Soup: A Gentle, Nourishing Vegetable Soup Perfect for Summer**
Does your body feel a bit heavy and sluggish with the high heat and humidity we’ve been having this summer? Here at the geefee team, we’ve also noticed our digestive systems feeling a bit worn out from consuming too many cold drinks and treats. In times like these, we’d like to recommend "Hippocrates Soup." Often featured in German naturopathy, it is also known as the "long-life vegetable soup." Because it is made using only the natural umami of vegetables with almost no salt or fat, it is incredibly gentle on the digestive tract and easy for the body to absorb. After our team tried drinking it for about three consecutive days, we found that our sluggishness eased up and our stomachs felt much lighter. To be honest, it was even more satisfying than we expected!
**The Appeal of Hippocrates Soup and Key Nutritional Highlights**
**Digestion-Friendly Cooking Methods**
Simmering the vegetables for a long time softens their fibers, making them much easier to digest. This process also draws out the natural umami, resulting in a satisfying flavor that allows you to cut back on salt and seasonings without compromising on taste.
Nutrients you'll get
This soup provides a well-balanced range of nutrients, including B vitamins and potassium from sweet potatoes, vitamin C and lycopene from tomatoes, allyl sulfide from onions, and dietary fiber and minerals from celery and parsley. Low in calories and great for hydration, it’s a soup we recommend as an easy addition to your meals when you’re feeling the effects of summer fatigue.
Ingredients and Shopping Tips (Serves 2–3)
- 1/2 medium Japanese sweet potato (approx. 200g) — wash thoroughly if you’re using it with the skin on
- 2–3 medium tomatoes — choosing ripe ones will give you a lovely balance of sweetness and acidity.
- 1 medium onion
- 3 sprigs of parsley (mostly the leaves)
- 3 stalks of celery
- 1 long green onion
- About 1L water (enough to cover about 2/3 of the vegetables in the pot)
- Apple cider vinegar (about 1 tsp to finish, or to taste)
The key is to choose fully ripe tomatoes, as they add a wonderful depth to the flavor. You can use the sweet potatoes with the skin on, but feel free to peel them if you are concerned about pesticides. This recipe is also a great choice for anyone looking to reduce their salt intake.
How to Make It (Detailed Steps and Tips)
**Preparation**
Cut the sweet potatoes into irregular, bite-sized chunks with the skin left on (feel free to peel them first if you prefer). Cut the tomatoes, onions, celery, and leeks into large bite-sized pieces, and give the parsley a rough chop. We recommend keeping your vegetables roughly the same size so that everything cooks through evenly.
Simmering and finishing touches
- Place the chopped vegetables into the pot and pour in the water. We suggest adding enough water to cover about two-thirds of the vegetables in the pot as a guide.
- Cover with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 2 hours. Simmering it slowly over low heat is the key to drawing out the natural sweetness and umami.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly. Then, transfer it to a blender and process until it reaches your preferred consistency. We recommend not blending it too thoroughly; leaving it a little chunky allows you to really enjoy the texture.
- Whether you prefer to strain the soup for a silky-smooth finish or leave it as is for a more rustic feel is entirely up to you. Return the strained soup to the pot to warm it through, then serve it in bowls.
- As a finishing touch, adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar helps brighten the flavor and is also great for digestion (optional).
If you’re looking to save time, using a pressure cooker or slow cooker is very convenient. A pressure cooker can shorten the process to about 30 to 40 minutes.
Tips for Serving, Storing, and Creative Twists
**Creative Variations**
- If you’d like to add some extra protein, we recommend gently adding a boiled egg, steamed chicken breast, or tofu. It’s a great way to make the meal even more satisfying!
- **A touch of aroma:** Drizzling a small amount of olive oil as a finishing touch adds a wonderful richness. We also find it delicious with a sprinkle of herbs or black pepper (feel free to adjust the salt to your preference).
- Great served cold: In the summer, you can enjoy this as a refreshing chilled soup. Chilling it really helps to bring out the natural tartness and sweetness.
Our Storage Tips
This will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 days, or for about a month in the freezer. When reheating, we recommend warming it slowly over low heat to help preserve its delicious flavor. Since the liquid may separate after thawing, please give it a good stir before you heat it up.
A few things to keep in mind
If you have kidney disease or are taking specific medications, please consult with your doctor regarding ingredients and any dietary restrictions. Our team also recommends avoiding extreme meal replacements where you rely solely on this soup for your nutritional needs over a long period. Instead, please enjoy it as part of a well-balanced diet.
Final Thoughts
Hippocrates soup is a simple vegetable soup that highlights the gentle, natural flavors of its ingredients. It is easy to digest, making it a perfect addition to your diet when you are feeling the effects of summer fatigue or simply want to give your digestive system a well-deserved rest. Our team tried it ourselves and found that it really helped settle our stomachs and restore our appetites. While the preparation is straightforward, the secret to a truly satisfying bowl lies in simmering the vegetables slowly and adding those final touches—like apple cider vinegar or olive oil—to adjust the flavor to your liking. We encourage you to give it a try and experiment with it to find the version that works best for you.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.