Heat up the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and a sprinkle of salt, and sauté until the onion turns translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté until the garlic releases its delightful fragrance.
Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper to the pot. Let the spices cook for an extra minute to enhance their flavours and create a delightful aroma.
Add the drained and rinsed beans to the pot and stir to coat them with the spices.
Gently pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavours to harmoniously meld together.
To achieve a velvety smooth consistency, gently blend the soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender. If opting for a regular blender, it's best to let the soup cool down a bit before blending and, if needed, blend in smaller batches. Blend until you get your desired soup texture.
Return the soup to the pot over low heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste and heat until warmed through.
Serve this lemony spiced garbanzo bean soup hot, drizzle with a little chilli oil for extra heat and garnish with fresh coriander or parsley. Then get dipping with a piece of toasted sourdough and enjoy this comforting meal!