Mail-Order Soup for Sickies

Published on Thursday, January 14, 2010, by James Norton / Edit Post

Spoonful of Comfort Chicken Soup

Spoonful of Comfort Chicken Soup

I Paid: $32 for a 64-ounce jar (prices may vary by region)

Taste: 3 stars

Marketing: 4 stars

It’s hard not to like the idea of Spoonful of Comfort Chicken Soup. Punch in your credit card number, select some options, and bingo! A small company sends a big jar of good old-fashioned chicken noodle soup to the ailing friend or family member of your choice. It seems like e-commerce magic: a lovely, warm, personal gesture long recognized as a way to support a sick loved one, boiled down to a few simple clicks of the mouse. That said, $32 not including shipping is no small cost for around four bowls of soup. (You can add rolls or oatmeal-raisin cookies for $6 extra.) In my opinion, it’s reasonable to expect excellence.

I appreciate the charming way the soup’s packaged, in a jar with a cute yellow bow. But it’s hard to assess excellence in chicken noodle soup. It’s supposed to be sort of boring and digestible and comforting. This one’s extremely classic and simple, with a clean, wholesome flavor, relatively large white-meat chunks of chicken, bits of carrots, a rich broth, noodles, and not much else. Not overly salty, not too bland. But if you’re not the kind of person who can chuck half a C-note around with abandon, or you happen to prefer chicken soups that are more exciting, along the lines of pho or tom kha gai, you won’t be pleased with this product.

The thing is, life’s temporary. While we’re here, we should make as many gracious and caring gestures as we can manage. Homemade is better, but if that isn’t an option—and you’ve got the cash—Spoonful of Comfort is worth considering.

James Norton edits the Upper Midwestern food journal Heavy Table. He's also the coauthor of a book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers. For his Supertaster column, he samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus. You can follow him on Twitter and fan him on Facebook. His wife, Becca Dilley, takes the photographs for Supertaster. She specializes in weddings and food photography, and is the coauthor of and photographer for the book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers.

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POST A COMMENT |5 Comments

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  • I've not ever tasted Spoonful of Comfort Soup, but I have had Grandma's Chicken Soup and it is excellent.
    The soup has lots of chicken in it and is tasty, but not over-salted. The veggies are not overcooked either.
    I also love Grandma's Matzoh balls. I have been sent this as a food gift a couple of times, and sent it to others. Always a hit. Lots of options. Google Grandma's Chicken Soup, they...+READ

    I've not ever tasted Spoonful of Comfort Soup, but I have had Grandma's Chicken Soup and it is excellent.
    The soup has lots of chicken in it and is tasty, but not over-salted. The veggies are not overcooked either.
    I also love Grandma's Matzoh balls. I have been sent this as a food gift a couple of times, and sent it to others. Always a hit. Lots of options. Google Grandma's Chicken Soup, they are still there.
    I recommend the soup. Service is excellent. Other food and gift options offered.-COLLAPSE

  • $32 for soup ??? are these guys on crack or something??? i cant believe someone would spend that kind of money on something like this but then some people have more money than brains. it would be cheaper to make it yourself and then send it to someone and it would be more personable as well.

    btw grandmas link is dead.

  • "A loving, warm PERSONAL gesture..." ordered off the Internet. Haven't had the soup, but unless it's your favorite and you want to pass it on, it doesn't seen very personal.

  • How does Spoonful of Comfort's soup compare with Grandma's Chicken Soup (http://www.grandmaschickensoup.com/), which seems to sit at about the same price point and also offers matzo balls. (I've never bought either, just wondering...)

  • I see my badgering has had its effect on supertaster Will Horton as his reviews seem to be better thought out and more critical these days.

    But you know what gets me about these spammers on the board? They're not even selling food products...it's pocketbooks. I mean geez guys come on, at least try to sell us a discount chinese spatula or something.