National Pepper Pot Soup Day is a holiday observed annually on December 29th and honors a soup that has been around for hundreds of years. Pepper pot soup has been dubbed the most famous soup that you’ve probably never heard of.

It’s also a dish steeped in legend and has more origin stories than just about any other type of soup. No matter its origin, it’s certainly a dish that many people will want to familiarize themselves with during this holiday.

The Legend Of Pepper Pot Soup

Pepper Pot Soup was allegedly created on December 29, 1777, by Christopher Ludwick—the baker general of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Supposedly, he created the dish during the harsh winter of 1777-78. He took tripe, veggies, and anything else he could find to make a soup that would sustain the Continental Army through that winter, or so the story goes.

Even though the above is a nice story, it’s probably not the true origin of pepper pot soup. Now don’t get us wrong here. We’re not saying that Christopher Ludwick didn’t make a soup that sustained the Continental Army during that bitter winter.

We’re saying that he probably improved a dish that was based on a dish he was already familiar with. A dish that comes from West Africa and the Caribbean and was commonly prepared by slaves.

It was also sold by the bowlful on the streets of Colonial America by black women during this time. So it’s likely Mr. Ludwick simply pressed into service a soup he was already familiar with eating. Since the legend tends to resonate with most people, it’s the reason why National Pepper Pot Day is observed on December 29th.

Unfortunately, at this time, we’re unable to locate who invented this holiday or when it was invented, but we’ll keep investigating the issue until we get to the bottom of the proverbial pot.

Observing National Pepper Pot Day

If you want to observe this holiday, all you have to do is choose the pepper pot recipe that you like the best. There are varieties of this dish available, some made with tripe and others made without this contentious ingredient. While you’re observing this holiday, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalPepperPotDay to let everyone know about this dish.