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What is Bisque?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Bisque is a type of rich, thick, creamy soup that has been pureed so that it has an even texture. Traditionally, it includes seafood, wine or cognac, and cream, along with a mixture of spices. Bisque is related to consomme, which is another rich soup produced through a long cooking process that concentrates flavors for intensity. As the name suggests, the soup has its origins in France, although the dish is prepared all over the world with a wide variety of ingredients.

The origins of the word bisque in relation to soup are debated. Some food historians believe that it refers to the fact that the soup is cooked twice, while others suspect that it is related to the Bay of Biscay. Cuisine from Biscay often includes spicy ingredients similar to those used in bisque, and another type of soup, called Biscay, involves the use of heavily spiced game birds in a recipe very similar to that used for bisque.

Bisque is a creamy soup that is similar to chowder.
Bisque is a creamy soup that is similar to chowder.

Traditional bisque begins with sauteing seafood in a heavy pan. If crustaceans are being used, the shells are left on. Next, a broth is made in the pan by combining wine and soup stock with aromatic spices, and the seafood is simmered until it is cooked through. The entire mixture is pureed, including the shells of the crustaceans. After being pureed, cream is added and the soup is cooked and allowed to thicken even more before being served, usually sprinkled with parsley and freshly cracked pepper.

Bisque typically includes cognac.
Bisque typically includes cognac.

Bisque is also a close relative of chowder, another creamy seafood soup. However, chowder and stew have thick chunks of ingredients in the rich creamy base, instead of the uniform creamy texture. It is served at fancy events because of the even texture, complex flavor, and beautiful color. Chowder is usually considered a dish of lower class, and therefore rarely appears at formal dinners. The word "bisque" is also used to refer to any sort of creamy, pureed soup, and thus menus often feature tomato and squash bisques.

Parsley can be sprinkled on top of a bisque.
Parsley can be sprinkled on top of a bisque.

Lobster bisque, in particular, is a popular form of the soup all over the world. The long cooking process brings out layers of flavor, and cooks are encouraged to use the same dish throughout the process so that no flavor is lost. While many cooks remove the shells of the lobster to eliminate the risk of a small piece of shell causing injury, traditionalists believe that soup is not a bisque unless it contains the finely pureed shells, which serve to thicken the soup.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon297723

"Chowder is usually considered a dish of lower class." That figures.

yournamehere

@galen84basc -- I thought the same thing when I read this!

I don't know why they call both the soup and the ceramics bisque, but I wonder if it has something to do with the color.

Since many bisques are white, and unpainted bisque ceramics are white, perhaps that's where it came from.

galen84basc

Does the soup bisque have anything to do with bisque ceramics? I know they have bisque plates and ornaments, but I don't know why they would share a name with the soup. Does anybody know?

Charlie89

I never knew that you were supposed to leave the shells on the seafood when you make bisque! I guess I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I get bisque supplies and avoid the shelled shrimp.

I guess it does give the soup a more intense flavor, but still, it just sounds so weird.

Now every time I eat bisque I'm going to be hyper-aware of the shells...but I think I'll still enjoy it.

Very interesting article, thank you!

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    • Bisque is a creamy soup that is similar to chowder.
      By: Boris Ryzhkov
      Bisque is a creamy soup that is similar to chowder.
    • Bisque typically includes cognac.
      By: romaneau
      Bisque typically includes cognac.
    • Parsley can be sprinkled on top of a bisque.
      By: Barbara Pheby
      Parsley can be sprinkled on top of a bisque.
    • When making lobster bisque, many chefs use chunks of tender meat from the tail.
      By: vpardi
      When making lobster bisque, many chefs use chunks of tender meat from the tail.
    • Shrimp bisque is a popular version of this soup consisting of shrimp pureed with various vegetables.
      By: blueee
      Shrimp bisque is a popular version of this soup consisting of shrimp pureed with various vegetables.
    • Soup stock is a key ingredient in a bisque.
      By: fkruger
      Soup stock is a key ingredient in a bisque.