As the temperature is beginning to drop and the days are growing shorter, nothing quite compares to the warm feeling that settles in your stomach when you eat a warm bowl of soup. The aroma of simmering spices, the hearty textures of seasonal vegetables, the rich broth that fills kitchens all around the globe signal the arrival of fall.  Whether it’s the robust and tangy flavors of Eastern Europe’s borscht to the creamy richness of North America’s butternut squash soup, each culture from around the world brings a bowl of comfort to the table with their finger licking autumn dishes. Fall soups are an essential part of seasonal rituals that nourish the body and the soul. 

If there’s one soup that would top every other soup, it would be, in my opinion, the french onion soup. The soup originates from France. The dish features caramelized onions that are cooked in a rich beef broth. After the soup is cooked, it is then topped with crusty bread and melted gruyere cheese. The soup is savory because of the onion and slightly creamy because of the gruyere cheese. The beef or the vegetable broth adds a depth of umami flavor to the soup. The french onion soup is nothing but comfort and warmth served in a bowl.

Another soup that feels like a warm hug would be the Moroccan harira soup. It is a traditional soup that is particularly popular during the autumn and winter months, especially Ramadan. It’s a comforting, hearty, and nutritious dish made with a rich tomato-based broth, lentils, and chickpeas, often enhanced with warming spices. The tomato base gives the soup a vibrant color and a zesty flavor. The legumes used in this soup make the soup filling and heavenly, providing a creamy texture and an earthy flavor. The soup’s rich tomato base, lentils, chickpeas, and warming spices make it an ideal dish for cooler autumn weather when people seek out comforting, nutritious meals. Its popularity as a staple food during family gatherings, celebrations, and holidays in Morocco makes it a common dish throughout the fall season.

As the colder months approach, let these two soups—rich with history, flavor, and warmth—wrap you in the comforting embrace of fall. Whether you’re savoring the savory notes of French onion soup or enjoying the spiced heartiness of Moroccan harira, these dishes are sure to bring a sense of comfort and joy to your table.