Cultural Cuisine: Breakfast Foods Around The World

Talk to any nutritionist: breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

This is understood around the globe, which is why every country has its own special morning recipes and rituals. Traditional breakfasts range from minimal and light to elaborate spreads. Either way, you're sure to get a great start to the day.

If you're bored of your own morning routine, why not take some inspiration from our collection of breakfast foods from around the world? You might even fall back in love with your own country's cuisine! Read on to discover some of the most delicious dishes out there.

The United States of America

Americans love a lavish breakfast, even if they too often settle for a quick cup of coffee or a bowl of cornflakes.

The traditional American breakfast of fried eggs, bacon, toast, and juice packs a wallop of starch and protein. This was meant to power a body through a hard day's labor. Americans also enjoy variations on the traditional breakfast: pancakes or waffles topped with sweet, sticky syrups, butter, and jam; or French toast sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, and topped with fruit. Savory alternatives include grits or oatmeal flavored with butter, cream, honey, or sugar, and biscuits drenched in sausage gravy.

Despite becoming well known and loved in its own right, the American breakfast has taken its cues from the many regions and cultures that comprise the population.

Scandinavia

Hot cereals, namely porridge, occupy a favorite place on the Scandinavian breakfast table and vary more widely than the average bowl of oatmeal. Porridges are made from whole grains steamed or boiled in water or milk. These are then topped with cream, butter, honey, jam, or spices to add flavor. Muesli incorporates raw rolled oats and other whole grains with dried fruits, seeds, and nuts. Splash with milk and crunch down with a juice or coffee and you're good to go.

A Danish breakfast adds a twist to the grain-based breakfast with a variety of bread pudding. They soak dried pieces of rye bread overnight in beer with some spices and, in the morning, cook it into a porridge. Serve with whipped cream or milk, and add raisins or orange zest for more flavor.

Regardless of which Scandinavian country's cuisine appeals to your palate, you'll always find bread. "Home-baked, hearty bread is an essential part of the Scandinavian kitchen," says Anna Brones. Crispbread not only adds texture and crunch to the ubiquitous open-faced sandwiches, but it also has fewer calories than normal white bread, which means diners can add extra toppings. Look out for homemade jams, pots of honey, cold cuts, smoked fish, and soft-boiled eggs. Yum.

Spain

The typical Spanish breakfast, says writer Christina Kalinowski, "consist[s] of small portions designed to wake up the metabolism and curb hunger in preparation for the later, larger meal." And Spanish breakfast foods are always served with a cup of coffee for an extra boost.

For a sweet start to the day, the Spanish eat magdalenas, which are small pastries made from olive oil. They're seasoned with clove, and lemon or orange zest, and range in texture and density from "sponge cake" to "pound cake." Bica gallega is another small sponge cake made with clarified butter and boasts a crunchy, sugary crust. Alternatively, there are tortas de aceite, sweet biscuits made with olive oil that bring a hint of anise to the breakfast table.

If a Spaniard doesn't have a sweet tooth, he or she might enjoy bocadillos instead. These are more substantial sandwiches filled with meat, cheese, sausage, or eggs. Tortilla de patatas is simply a potato omelet made from thinly sliced potatoes and eggs. Season with salt and pepper, maybe add sauteed onions, and you're good to go.

Russia

A quick, on-the-go Russian breakfast consists of a sandwich with butter, cheese, and sausage. Russians who give themselves sufficient time to cook may make eggs, porridge, pancakes, or syrniki, which are cottage cheese dumplings. Eggs are fried sunny-side up and topped with kolbasa sausage, tomatoes, and bell pepper. Porridge ranges from oatmeal to semolina, rice, or buckwheat, cooked with milk and topped with jam.

Forget maple syrup. Russians like jam, sweet condensed milk, honey, or sour cream on their pancakes or blinis. Hot tea traditionally accompanies the typical Russian breakfast, although Russians also enjoy Turkish style coffee with milk and sugar.

Mexico

Heading south of the U.S. border to Mexico, the breakfast foods span the country's varied geography. Mexicans can stretch a leisurely breakfast meal to two hours and multiple courses. The first course consists of a plate of fresh fruit or a glass of juice "followed by a heavy, spicy, substantial dish that will keep you satiated until the 3 p.m. lunch hour," writes Lesley Tellez for The Mija Chronicles.

Breakfast in Mexico features a variety of textures, and is always accompanied by tortillas. Favorite breakfast foods in Mexico include spicy egg dishes like huevos rancheros, and beans. Reminiscent of the short-lived French rule of Mexico, crusty rolls, called bolillos, are also featured strongly in the typical Mexican breakfast. The roll is torn into small pieces which are then dipped into a chocolate sauce.

Mexicans also enjoy chocolate in beverage form. A hot drink may include egg yolks, heavy cream, corn dough, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, and other spices. But of course, no breakfast in Mexico is complete without coffee.

Africa

From the Barbary Coast and the Arabian countries to diamond-studded South Africa, the bewildering array of cultures and cuisines of this continent defy simple description. But one thing is for sure: coffee and tea enjoy equal billing on the breakfast table throughout the African continent.

The countries of Northern Africa tend to favor savory breakfast foods that rely heavily on beans, millet, and wheat-based bread. The starches may be accompanied by honey, butter, jam, nuts, fresh or dried fruits, and vegetables. Some of the North African cultures commonly include eggs and cheese.

Central African countries also rely on beans and eggs for their breakfast foods. Variations include Ghana's cocoyam, yam, and a yam and plantain mixture that's boiled with fish and onion. Kenyans enjoy fried dough made with coconut milk, cardamom, and coconut flakes. Others rely on spartan morning meals that most people would consider "Continental", which feature bread with a topping.

The Tasty Benefit of Breakfast

With generous dollops of jam, a dusting of sugar, meats, coffee and tea, the morning meal provides a satisfying mixture of sweet and savory to start the day, no matter where you are in the world.

As the most important meal of the day, and an excuse to eat something delicious, there's no reason to skip breakfast. If you're looking to kickstart your morning meal, why not explore some of these breakfast foods? Or head out for a classic American breakfast, of course!