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
The Api Morado is a spiced brew concoction, made of ground purple corn mixed with water, cinnamon, pineapple or oranges, cloves and sugar. The drink is best served hot. The Api drink can also be made of white corn and is called the Api Blanco. The Api Blanco is made from cinnamon, white corn, milk and sugar.
A drink for breakfast can also be satisfying. Image by Quinn Dombrowski
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 the 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 Mohinga 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. The 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 recipe, made with black or brown beans. The beans are cooked in spices. It’s important to remove all the beans coat before preparing the meal to get the perfect bean cake.
Fried bean cake anyone? Image by Juju Films
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 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 the Kasha. Kasha is a porridge, usually sweet and served with milk and hot butter. The meal is made from buckwheat and can be enjoyed with black tea or coffee.
Buckwheat porridge with butter. Image by Leticia Avierkiieva
8. Ghana
Breakfast in Ghana tends to be a bit heavier. One of the breakfasts served in Ghana is Kenkey. Kenkey is 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 is also known as pierogies is dough mixed with flour and salt. The varenyky is boiled, baked or fried dumplings, with stuffing. There are savoury stuffings of ground meat, cheese, sausage and sauerkraut. There are also sweet versions, served with fruits and sour cream and honey.
Varenyky are a form of dumplings with stuffing. Image by Stephanie Vacher
10. Argentina
Although Argentina is famous for their meat, they don’t consume meat for breakfast. The Argentinians don’t enjoy large breakfasts but prefer 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 (between yoghurt and milk) served with muesli or fresh fruit and honey. Filmjolk has been around in Sweden since Viking times and you can also drink a glass as a snack.
Cultured yoghurt in Sweden. Image by Alex Bayley
12. Australia/New Zealand
Let’s time travel back into history to when the Anzac cookies were first made. The sweet cookies are made from rolled oats. ANZAC cookies are popular among people from Australia and New Zealand as they originally were made and sent to the ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) who were serving in Gallipoli. Another popular bite down under is Vegemite. There’s also no denying that Vegemite is linked to Australia. The dark and bitter spread has been popular for many years. Vegemite with cheese on toast is still a favourite for many.
Cookies for breakfast. Image by Jaro Larnos
13. Mexico
Huevos motuleños originated in the town of Motu. Like most Mexican meals, the breakfast dish includes a crispy corn tortilla. The tortilla is 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.
A colourful breakfast, fit for a king. Image by Sergio Davila
14. 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.
Simplicity for breakfast is always best. Image by Matthew Gonzalez
15. Ethiopia
Breakfast in Ethiopia ranges from a simple cup of tea to anything really heavy such as the 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! The 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
16. Morocco
Khobz is one of the many loaves 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.
Bread is consumed with every meal in Morocco.
17. Pakistan
The Pakistani’s consider lentils, wheat and milk main foods that form the basis for Pakistan cuisine. Haleem is a slow cooked mixture of lentils and meat. It can also be garnished with green chillies, coriander leaves and fried onions.
A cuisine breakfast. Image by Charles Haynes
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.
This article, 17 breakfast meals around the globe, was originally posted on the Getaway Blog by Ondela Mlandu.