Two Soups for Surviving Winter- Authentic Lisbon experiences

This article was originally published on my Substack, where each week I share stories from my life in Lisbon its food heritage, local traditions, neighborhood culture, and the hidden experiences most visitors never get to see. If you’re looking for authentic Lisbon experiences, meaningful food and culture tours, or a deeper way to understand Portugal beyond the typical guidebook, you’re always welcome to subscribe. And if my writing resonates with you, I would love to host you in person my tours are built with the same care, research, and authenticity you find here.

Believe it or not, we have winters in Lisbon too. Okay, I will not dare to compare any cold, minus degrees in America or Canada, but you feel the cold in your bones. Even though our mild winter temperatures dance around 13-16°C, an unexpected strong wind or unstoppable rain can drain you out. And here is the surprising part. It was even a bit of a shock for me when I first moved most of the houses here don’t have heating systems. Usually, we rely on small electric heaters, which, as you can imagine, are far from efficient.

So the local tricks for surviving winter in Lisbon: First, whenever the sun makes an appearance, we all flock outside to soak in whatever warmth we can get before the cold night hits. Second, at home, we layer up with all the thick, cozy clothes we can find and yessss, we often take some off when stepping outside because, ironically, it’s usually warmer than indoors.

And third, and the main subject of this article, make heart-warming soup. Did you know the word “soup” comes from the Latin word suppa, meaning “bread soaked in broth”? The Romans believed soup could cure melancholia! So it’s no wonder we’re so obsessed with it.

Soup in both Turkey and Portugal is more than just an appetizer. It’s a main dish for weddings, festivals, remedie for illness, and cure for hangover. It connects us, can be shared as charity, and brings unity. We love pairing it with crusty bread, dumplings, meat, yogurt, or even eggs. Soups and stews are perfect for this season. Not only are they economical and easy to prepare, but they also provide comfort and nourishment in every spoonful.

caldo verde classic Portuguese soup