Throughout the world, ‘breakfast’ is an important cultural tradition associated with the start of a new day. Because ‘breakfast’ is such an important meal, many countries have developed their own unique culinary delights to begin each day.
Breakfast in America: Eggs, English muffins, toast, cereal, tea, coffee, milk, bacon or sausage, hash browns, and fruit and fruit juice.
Breakfast in Canada: Pancakes and Canadian maple syrup, Canadian bacon, eggs, English muffins, toast, cereal, tea, coffee, milk, hash browns, and fruit and fruit juice.
Breakfast in the United Kingdom: Tea and coffee, toast, bacon, sausage, grilled kidneys, eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms, oatmeal or cold cereal, smoked fish, buns, crumpets, and brown bread with butter, honey, jam, or marmalade.
Breakfast in Russia: Hot tea, breads such as black bread, sausage, fried eggs, cucumber pickles, finger sandwiches made with ham and cheese, lox on whole-wheat bread, Kasha (cereal) and tvorog (soft curd cheese) are all popular breakfast foods.
Breakfast in Australia: Eggs, toast with butter and jam, cereal with milk, and tea or coffee. Spaghetti or baked beans and bacon on top of toast is also a popular morning meal
Breakfast in China: Mainly rice with a bit of vegetables and meat.
Breakfast in Central America: A variety of egg dishes, chorizo and other sausages, tortillas, pan dulce (sweet bread), fresh fruit and fruit juices, and fried plantains. Chocolate beverages are popular for breakfast. Refried beans, fried rice and tortillas are also part of the meal.
Breakfast in South America: South Americans enjoy a light breakfast. Foods can include coffee with milk, pan dulce, Medialunas, (small croissants) and tea or yerba mate.
Breakfast in Turkey: Turkish breakfasts can include: tea, coffee, bread, softened butter and honey, su böregi (noodle pastry filled with soft white cheese and parsley,) boiled eggs, black olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Breakfast in Israel: Western breakfasts are popular as well as yogurt, herring, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fruits.
Breakfast in France: Coffee with milk, espresso, hot chocolate with tartines, slices of baguette with jam, black bread; scrambled eggs with mushrooms and tomatoes.
Breakfast in the Netherlands: Poached eggs with ham placed on toast with cheese or bread and butter.
Breakfast in Germany: Bread rolls or toast with butter, honey, or jam, ham or sausage, soft boiled eggs, and coffee.
Breakfast in Switzerland: Sliced meats, cheese, yogurt, prepared fruit, butter, croissants, and breads and rolls.
Breakfast in Greece: Bread, cheese, fruit, and coffee
Breakfast in Italy: Brioche (type of croissant) and a cappuccino or coffee.
Breakfast in Belgium: Bread with coffee or tea, fruit juice, cereals, soft boiled eggs, currant loaves, croissants, sandwiches, and almond paste cakes.
Breakfast in Sweden: Bread with margarine and cheese, smoked ham, or turkey, yogurt with muesli and banana, and cereal.
Breakfast in Ireland: Fried meats, fried bread, white and black puddings, and Irish soda bread.
Breakfast in Scotland: Oatcakes, scones, and Arbroath smokies (small haddock) porridge, and brown bread and butter.
Breakfast in India: Foods vary from region to region. Popular meals can include eggs with spices, potatoes, and onions, coffee, fruits and yogurt, appam (thin rice pancakes filled with spiced meat or potatoes and vegetables), idi-appam (rice noodles with sweet coconut milk or a meat curry), idli (small steamed cakes made with rice and split peas) and puttu (crushed rice and coconut steamed and served with bananas and milk). The Hindi breakfast dish khichri is made with rice, lentils, and spices.
Breakfast is a ritual practiced around the world. The unique cultural differences make breakfast an important and delicious culinary tradition.