Is Cereal a Soup?
Challenging the philosophical limits of food classification
Looking up the definition of soup in the dictionary, it says 'food with solid ingredients in liquid.' Cereal is food with grains (solid) in milk (liquid). So is cereal a soup?
This question seems like a simple joke, but it makes you engage in deep(?) philosophical thinking about food classification systems and our perceptions. There is no answer, but the debate goes on endlessly.
Both Sides
1
Soup: Liquid + solid = fits the definition of soup
2
Not soup: Soup must be cooked, cereal is not
3
Soup: Gazpacho is not heated either but it is soup
4
Not soup: Then is bread soaked in water soup
Pros
- ✓ Perfectly fits the dictionary definition
- ✓ Cold soups exist so temperature is irrelevant
- ✓ Both are in a bowl and eaten with a spoon
Cons
- ✗ Soup must go through the cooking process
- ✗ Nobody says they are eating soup when eating cereal
- ✗ Cereal is breakfast not an appetizer course