Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, providing us with energy and nutrients throughout the day. It also goes without saying that we all have different preferences when it comes to what to eat in the morning. I am content with an oversized bowl of cereal followed by a creamy cup of coffee while others prefer warm meals.
Here’s a look at how various parts of world indulge in breakfast. Tell us how you savour your breakfast in the comments below.
1. Bolivia
Api morado is a spiced brew, made of ground purple corn mixed with water, cinnamon, pineapple or oranges, cloves and sugar. The drink is best served hot. The drink can also be made of white corn, cinnamon, milk and sugar, in which case it’s called api blanco.
2. Myanmar
Myanmar is a small country with many ethnic groups. People there prefer eating out instead of making their own breakfast. The national dish enjoyed for breakfast is mohinga. The dish consists of rice noodles and fish soup, garnished with crispy fried fritters such as chickpeas and boiled eggs. Lemongrass, garlic, ginger and onions are added to it to enhance the flavours.
Fish broth and noodles to kick start the morning. Who would have thought? Image by Giselle Leung
3. India
Rava umpa, also known as roasted rava. This meal is particularly a favourite in India. Rava umpa is made from a form of semolina, served with fresh vegetables, spices, lentils, aromatic nuts, curry leaves and grated coconut on the top.
An oversized bowl of hearty vegetables for all your vitamins and minerals. Image by Sonik
4. Nigeria
Akara is a Nigerian breakfast dish, made with black or brown beans cooked in spices. It’s important to remove all the beans’ skins before preparing the meal to get the perfect bean cake.
5. Malaysia
In Malaysia, they have nasi lemak for breakfast. The meal consists of coconut rice, lamb curry, anchovies, hot sauce, peanuts and boiled eggs. The rice is cooked in coconut milk and a pandan leaf.
What some have for dinner, others have for breakfast. Image by Charles Haynes
6. Kenya
Mandazi is popular in Kenya. Mandazi is also known as a Swahili coconut donut. The breakfast treat consists of fried dough with coconut milk, coconut flakes and cardamom. Mandazi is usually accompanied by a cup of hot tea.
Rich, sweet treats for breakfast. Image by Paresh Jai
7. Russia
A soul-food dish in Russia is kasha, a buckwheat porridge that’s usually served sweet, with milk and hot butter. It can be enjoyed with black tea or coffee.
8. Ghana
Breakfast in Ghana tends to be a bit heavier. One of the breakfasts served in Ghana is kenkey, made from ground cornmeal that is soaked in water and fermented for two days before it is rolled in a ball. Once it is in ball form, it’s boiled and wrapped in plantain leaves, served with fish or stew.
Kenkey is also eaten in eastern Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, western Benin and Jamaica. Image by Korangteng Ofosu-Amaah
9. Ukraine
Varenyky, also known as pierogi, are boiled, baked or fried stuffed dumplings. There are savoury stuffings of ground meat, cheese, sausage and sauerkraut, as well as sweet versions, served with fruits and sour cream and honey.
10. Argentina
Although Argentina is famous for their meat, they don’t tend to consume meat for breakfast, preferring a quick snack. Breakfast consists of a few facturas (a variety of croissant-like pastries) served with custard, jam, ham and cheese.
Mate is an infusion drink made with yerba leaves. Image by Jean-Paul P.G
11. Sweden
Filmjolk is thick sour milk (somewhere between yoghurt and milk) served with muesli or fresh fruit and honey. Filmjolk has been around in Sweden since Viking times, and a glass of it is also popular as a snack.
12. Mexico
Huevos motuleños originated in the town of Motu. The breakfast dish includes a crispy corn tortilla, accompanied by fried beans, tomato sauce or a salsa sauce, fried eggs, crumbled cheese and you can also add pieces of smoked ham, lemon juice or peas for more flavour.
13. Cuba
Some Cubans love their Cuban-style bread and butter for breakfast. The bread is grilled and served with a blend of warm milk and espresso coffee. It is popular to dip some of the bread in the coffee while eating.
14. Ethiopia
Breakfast in Ethiopia ranges from a simple cup of tea to anything really heavy such as dulet. Take some finely chopped lamb tripe, beef and livers from a cow or lamb- fry them with chopped onions, peppers and spices and you have breakfast! Dulet is one of many dishes enjoyed for breakfast in Ethiopia.
Dulet is cooked marinated lamb liver, tripe, and topside with onions and spice. Image by Charles Haynes
15. Morocco
Khobz is one of the many kinds of bread eaten in Morocco. Goats cheese, olives and fried eggs are also breakfast staples. The traditional pancakes called rghaif are enjoyed with honey, strawberry or apricot jam. Moroccan mint tea is a classic for breakfast, made from gunpowder green tea, fresh mint and sugar.
The world is a big place and there are plenty of traditional breakfasts that are not included. If you have any you would like to share, please comment below.
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