Europe is a multi-cultural continent, and the differences between its countries are generally huge. Of course, the same goes for breakfast as well. Even if the breakfast of some countries seems to be similar in a way, especially in the Mediterranean region, differences in the ingredients alter the taste of the recipes to a great extent. Below, we will explore the most distinguished breakfasts in Europe:
Greek Breakfast
Greece features by far the healthiest, most diverse, and rich-in-flavor breakfast in Europe. A typical Greek breakfast includes pastries, cheese, yogurt, cold cuts, honey, traditional marmalades, olive oil, eggs, all kinds of pies, local sweets, fresh fruits, cereals, herbal drinks, and Greek coffee. Naturally, you will notice some differences on the Greek breakfast depending on the region you are visiting and the local specialties.
Must-Eat Breakfast Recipes in Greece: Pastry-Less Spanakopita, Tyropita (Cheese Pie), Scrambled eggs with tomato and feta, yoghurt with honey or traditional marmalade, Olive Bread, and Bougatsa (pie with cream, cheese, or minced meat).
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Spanish Breakfast
The Spanish Breakfast may be small, but it is certainly delicious! A cup of coffee or chocolate is enough for the Spanish people to start their day. However, various snacks including pastries, croissant, and the popular churros are often eaten for breakfast as well. The breakfast is typically served from 08.00 am to 09:30 am, even though you will notice that the locals eat various snacks until lunch time.
English Breakfast
English Breakfast is one of the most popular breakfasts in the world. A typical Full English Breakfast, or else called "fry up", includes bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans, fried, poached or scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, fried mushrooms, fried bread with butter, and black pudding. The locals prefer tea as a beverage, however coffee and fresh orange juice are quite common as well. The cooking methods differ from region to region, however the ingredients used are very similar, usually the same.
French Breakfast
Contradicting to the reputation that French Cuisine includes rich and savory dishes, the typical French breakfast is actually very light and does not include sausages, ham, and eggs, ingredients that you would expect to find in a typical European breakfast. French baguette and croissants are essential for a standard French morning meal, and they are usually served with jam and butter. Fresh fruits are also eaten in the summertime, while preserved fruits are preferred during winter. Yogurt is actually a recent addition to the French breakfast, which can be accompanied by fruits or honey. Don't miss to try "Chausson aux Pommes", which is a puff pastry crust with all types of fillings.
Italian Breakfast
A typical Italian Breakfast starts with a good cup of hot coffee of espresso, cappuccino or caffe latte, which is usually accompanied by pastries such as bread or rolls with butter and jam. However, the Italian breakfast varies depending on the region and the period that you are visiting. As a matter of fact, in the past, Italians from the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, used to drink Chianti red wine for breakfast, in which they would also dip their biscuits. Some recommended Italian breakfast recipes are: Frittatas (eggs with herbs and cheese), cornetti ( pastry with nutella or jam), Crespelle ( Italian crepes) and Eggs with Polenta & Pancetta.