7 Best Common English Breakfast To Start the Day

If you're a fan of English breakfast foods, whether you're visiting England or trying to recreate a favorite dish in your own country, there are several popular options that are sure to please your palate. Baked goods, fry-ups, and smoked fish are just a few examples of the variety of foods you can enjoy as part of an English breakfast.

Many of the dishes that make up an English breakfast have been around for centuries, and while some have evolved over time, others have remained unchanged. Regardless of their origin, breakfast foods, particularly English ones, are comforting, warming, and gentle. They range in complexity from simple tea and toast to the more elaborate full English breakfast.

Full English breakfast

The full English breakfast is a breakfast dish that is probably the most famous one in England. It consists of several components, although the exact list of items can vary slightly.

Typically, it includes bacon, black pudding, white pudding, sausage, fried mushrooms, fried tomatoes, fried eggs, beans, and toast. Locals usually drink one or even five cups of tea with this dish! Personally, I enjoy it with a milky Earl Grey tea.

Traditionally, this dish is offered to visitors, and you can easily find it at various restaurants in England, or you can prepare it yourself at home. Variations of this dish are also popular in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.

Porridge

Porridge is a simple but satisfying dish that is made from various grains like oats, corn, millet, rice, wheat, or sorghum, which are cooked with liquid such as water or milk.

Toppings for porridge range from sweet to savory, including options like brown sugar, fruit, cheese, or vegetables. Though it lacks the elaborate complexity of a full English breakfast, porridge has been a dietary staple worldwide for its nutritious and comforting properties.

You can easily make it from scratch or buy instant porridge, and I personally enjoy adding cream, brown sugar, and bananas to mine for a delicious start to the day.

Scone

Another popular breakfast food in England is the scone, a versatile and delicious baked good that is often paired with butter, jam, and clotted cream. Scones are commonly consumed at breakfast and traditional English afternoon tea.

They are made from wheat or oat flour and can be sweet or savory, with various flavor components such as berries, cheese, sultanas, lemon, pumpkin, chocolate chips, and spinach. Plain scones are also a popular option. While scones can be made at home, they are widely available in bakeries near me.

Kippers

Kippers are a type of small herring fish that are prepared through a specific process of butterflying, salting, pickling, and smoking. This technique results in a fish with a deep, complex flavor and slightly oily texture.

If you're interested in purchasing kippers, you can typically find them canned or in refrigerated jars at a grocery store. They can be enjoyed straight out of the jar or prepared through grilling, frying, or poaching. Personally, I like to pair kippers with eggs and toast or get creative and make a kipper pate or sandwich.

Eggy Bread

Eggy Bread, also known as savory French toast, is a dish where bread is dipped in a mixture of eggs and milk before frying. It can be enjoyed with savory toppings like eggs and breakfast meats, or sweet toppings like fresh fruit, compote, or honey.

Dense white bread is the ideal choice for this dish. Similar dishes can be found worldwide, such as German Pofesen, French pain perdu, Georgian kikliko, Hong Kong-style French Toast, Indian Bombay Toast, and Spanish Torrija.

Tea and Toast

Tea and Toast is a classic and comforting English breakfast that has been enjoyed for centuries. This simple dish consists of hot, strong tea and toasted bread.

Typically, the English enjoy their toast with butter and cheese, and it pairs well with black teas like English breakfast and Earl Grey. However, green and herbal teas are also becoming more popular. This dish is easy to make at home and can be ready in minutes.

Crumpet

Crumpet Another staple breakfast item in England is the crumpet, which is known for its delightful texture and versatility. To make a crumpet, you need a batter made of flour, salt, milk, yeast, sugar, water, and baking soda. Frying the batter in rings can give it a perfectly round shape.

For best results, it is recommended to let the batter sit for at least an hour before cooking. Crumpets are commonly enjoyed with butter, jams, syrups, honey, and fruit. They are easy to make at home and can sometimes be found pre-made in stores or bakeries.

Conclusion

While England may not have a widely renowned food culture, it boasts some delectable dishes that are certainly worth exploring. Delving into the world of English breakfasts can serve as an excellent starting point. Spanning from tea and baked goods to a hearty fry-up, English cuisine is steeped in history and tradition.

Now armed with several mouth-watering options, you can indulge in some of the most popular English breakfast foods. Whether you fancy a simple bowl of porridge or a full English breakfast, there are plenty of dishes to satiate your taste buds and provide an authentic English breakfast experience.

While breakfasts across the globe may share similarities, there are numerous intriguing options to explore. Broadening your horizons by exploring Turkish breakfast foods or Greek breakfast ideas can be a great way to discover new culinary delights.