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Italian breakfast is more than just a quick bite. It’s a daily ritual that varies from a simple at-home meal to a delightful experience at a local café. Although Italy may be more famous for its pasta and pizza, breakfast holds its own special place in Italian culture. Let’s explore what an authentic Italian breakfast looks like.
The most well-known Italian breakfast is cappuccino and brioche. Many Italians start their day at a bar or a pasticceria (pastry shop) for this classic combo.
In Italy, a “bar” is not just a place to drink alcohol. It’s a key part of Italian culture. People visit bars for:
Bars sell coffee, pastries, and quick meals. They usually get their brioches from other companies, either frozen or pre-made.
A pasticceria is a pastry shop. These shops are known for making delicious pastries, cakes, and desserts. Unlike bars, pasticcerie make their own fresh brioches every morning.
Going to a pasticceria might cost more, but the fresh brioches are worth it!
Brioche making is an art. The process starts early, with bakers like Francesco working hard to have brioches ready for the morning. Francesco, a pastry maker for almost 60 years, starts his day at 3 AM.
The dough-making process involves several steps:
By 7 AM, the fresh brioches are displayed in the window, ready for customers.
What’s the difference between a brioche and a croissant? A brioche is softer, sweeter, and more buttery than a croissant. It’s not usually crunchy. Popular fillings include apricot jam, pastry cream, and chocolate.
Coffee is a must for most Italian adults at breakfast. Here are some popular choices:
For those who want to avoid caffeine, ginseng coffee or barley coffee are great options.
Besides coffee, Italians enjoy other drinks like:
Most Italian families don’t go out for breakfast every day. It’s often a weekend treat. At home, they have simple yet satisfying options.
Italians often use a moka pot to make coffee at home. The moka makes coffee stronger than drip coffee but not as strong as espresso.
Warm milk and cookies are a common breakfast at home. Popular cookie brands include Mulino Bianco, Pan di Stelle, and Gocciole.
When there are no fresh brioches, packaged brioches from the store are a good substitute. Kinder is a popular brand with many choices.
Some popular Kinder brioches are:
Fette Biscottate are toasted slices of bread. They are dry and crispy. They don’t taste like much on their own, but they taste great with butter, jam, or honey. Many people enjoy them with tea, soaking them to soften them.
Bread and Nutella is a popular breakfast. The Italian media sometimes advertises it as a healthy way to start the day.
Many Italians also enjoy milk and cereal for breakfast.
Italian breakfast is diverse and enjoyable. Whether it’s a quick coffee and brioche at a bar, a pastry from a pasticceria, or a simple meal at home, there’s something for everyone. So, next time you want to try something new for breakfast, consider the Italian way.
Ready to try an authentic Italian breakfast? Find a local Italian café or try making your own brioche at home. Buon appetito!
Aveline Lux is a visionary writer and digital storyteller, using her blog on CitiWell Shop as a platform to explore the intersection of creativity, commerce, and culture.
Traveling extensively across continents, Aveline draws inspiration from different cultures and global trends, infusing her articles with unique perspectives and practical insights.
Aveline enjoys photography, hiking through nature trails, and curating playlists that fuel her creative process.
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