What makes chowder 'chowder'?!


Question: What makes chowder 'chowder'!?
What it is about chowder that makes it 'chowder!?' I've eaten fish chowders, and corn chowders, and have to wonder what are the ingredients that make it a 'chowder!?'Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
The most accepted etymology for the word chowder comes from the pot in which it is cooked!. The French word chaudron translated means "a pot," developed from chaud, "hot" (also related to the Latin calderia and English cauldron)!. The word "chowder" is a New England word that came from Newfoundland, where Breton fishermen — who would throw portions of the day's catch and other available foods into a large pot — introduced the word, and perhaps the fish soup itself (compare bouillabaisse)!. Another possible origin for the word chowder is derived from the Old English "jowter", which means fishmonger (one who peddles fish)!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

When I think of chowder I immediately think of Heavy cream and bacon!. Which is the case with most chowders, but not all such as manhattan clam chowder which is tomato based!. I think what makes it a chowder is the size of the veggies, meat, seafood, beans whatever kind of chowder you are making - it has big chunks!. It is usually a very thick and rich tasteing soup!. Where the name came from - I don't know!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Well, I'll give you my opinion of what I consider a chowder, doesn't mean I'm right, just my opinion; I think a chowder is a soup made with a milk/cream broth that is thickened with a flour paste!.

If someone were to say "we're having onion chowder for lunch" my mind would immediately think of a flour thickened, milk/cream base!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

In most places a chowder is made with milk or cream!.
Soups do not have milk or cream!.
A bisque also is made with milk or cream, but the ingredients have been pureed to make a thicker consistency!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

To me a chower will have a creamy base, with potatoes and possibly corn and about what ever else, such as fish, potato, clam, corn, chicken and cauliflower etc!.!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com





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