There are perhaps as many varieties of chilled soups as warm, and if a cold savory soup seems too exotic, there are sweet, fruit based chilled soups that may be a better way to first experiment with the dish. But don’t write the savory varieties off without trying them at least once.

And since most varieties of this warm-weather dish are fruit or vegetable based, you can make use of fresh, in-season produce when preparing them. Using the best fruits and vegetables summer has to offer while serving a dish that cools and refreshes is a wonderful way to multitask with your menu planning.

Added benefits include the ease of preparation, as chilled soups don’t usually contain creams and fats which must be carefully added. Additionally, there are often no more than half a dozen ingredients in these recipes, as they are designed to showcase their main element. And they are an even healthier option than many clear broth warm soups, packed with a variety of healthful nutritious elements, including vitamins and antioxidants.