The Kitchen is supposed to be the “ 8th wonder of the world”. The magic that happens when we put in two or more ingredients is simply amazing. As Mankind evolves, our food has also joined us in the trend of evolution while taking with it the traditional culture of essential preparation too.
In this blog, we will be learning all we need to know about the perpetual stew and what really has made it stand out despite the evolution of mankind and its environment.
Perpetual stew also known as Forever soup, the Hunters’ pot, mother broth, or even bottomless pot is a pot in which one just throws in any ingredients he/she can find into the pot. The major interesting part of this stew or soup is that the pot is rarely emptied or washed but every once in a while, more ingredients are added to the existing one.
Some of this perpetual stew or soup has actually been known to last as much as 45 years and above.
HISTORY OF PERPETUAL STEW
Perpetual stew has been traced back to the Medieval periods when cuisines such as pottage are cooked in a pot and over time, more ingredients including water is been introduced into the stew or soup and warmed on fire to prevent spoil. So once in a while, a bird such as a fowl or a pigeon or even animals like a hare or even bush meat is also introduced into the pot. The boiling together of these ingredients is always known to have produced a meaty fine flavor that would linger for days. The pot is never emptied or washed except on lent ( fasting) periods.
MAJOR INGREDIENTS OF PERPETUAL STEW/SOUP
Perpetual soup due to its mysterious nature doesn’t have a specific pattern of cooking or specific ingredients used. It is always often the product of the imagination of the cook or cooks.
But major ingredients include :
(1) Meats
(2) Fish
(3) Root vegetables
(4) Tubers
POPULAR PLACES TO STILL GET PERPETUAL STEW/SOUP
Some restaurants to date still maintain their perpetual stew/soup.
For example, the oldest restaurant in Japan has perfectly maintained a perpetual stew/soup for over 30 years
In Bangkok, a restaurant known as Wattana Panich has maintained the same broth for 48 years.
Between August 2014 and 2015, a New York Restaurant served Hunter’s pot that has stayed for 8 months.
HOW IS PERPETUAL STEW/SOUP PRESERVED
In the olden days, the contents of the Pot are preserved from going sour simply by boiling every now and then. The frequent boiling to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit prevents bacteria from acting on it.
In recent times, the perpetual stew/soup is preserved by the act of refrigerating the pot. The Pot having been kept in a cold place will prevent bacteria from acting on it. When the stew/soup is needed, it is brought out of the refrigerator and warmed before refrigerating it again.
OLDEST PERPETUAL STEW
The oldest perpetual stew is in Wattana Panich in Bangkok where the big pot has been simmering for over 45 years.
HOW HEALTHY AND SAFE IS PERPETUAL STEW
Due to the prevention of bacteria acting on the stew/soup, Perpetual stew is actually safe and healthy to Eat.
CONCLUSION
Perpetual soup or stew is a real thing and would definitely reveal to you some flavors you would never have imagined.
See also: https://infoblog4all.com/coq-au-vin/