Gazpacho is a cold soup made from a combination of blended raw vegetables and originated in Andalusia. It then spread to the regions of Alentejo and Algarve and is now widely consumed not only throughout Spain and Portugal but also around the rest of the world.

This soup is so beloved, that it’s recognized with its own holiday. Its holiday is National Gazpacho Day, and it’s the perfect reason to make yourself a bowl of this Spanish soup.

The History of Gazpacho

Although no one really knows who or when gazpacho was first invented, there are several theories about its origin. One of the most widely accepted theories is that this soup was brought to Spain by the Romans. This Roman soup was made with garlic, vinegar, olive oil, water, and bread. As it was woven into Andalusian food culture, however, it began to change slightly.

Eventually, during the 19th century, tomatoes were used as the main ingredient of the red gazpacho variety. Of course, other versions of this soup are also commonplace, including cucumber, grape, seafood, and avocado gazpacho versions. As for the origin of this holiday, we were unable to uncover who started it or when it began.

Refreshing Facts About Gazpacho

Want a whole lot of interesting facts about gazpacho? If you do, then you may want to check out the following facts that we’ve gleaned over hours upon hours of careful research. The following bullet points of trivia will give everyone celebrating National Gazpacho Day something to talk about between sips of gazpacho.

• Gazpacho means “soaked bread” in Arabic.
• Gazpacho didn’t originally contain tomatoes or peppers because those were New World vegetables.
• It’s believed that Christopher Columbus loaded up his ships with the original version of gazpacho before his famous voyage.
• A common variety of gazpacho is made with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, peppers, and breadcrumbs or croutons.

Observing National Gazpacho Day

National Gazpacho Day can be observed by either running out to your local grocery store and buying premade gazpacho or by making your own. You can also use the hashtag #NationalGazpachoDay on social media to spread the word about this holiday.

Remember, eating gazpacho by yourself is no fun, so make sure to invite friends, family, or even neighbors over for the feast. There’s nothing better than a bowl of gazpacho enjoyed with friends and family.