To live the true dolce vita life, you must start your day the right way! That means delectable breakfasts full of fresh ingredients, packed with the nutritious goodness you need to start your day. However, breakfast in Italy is quite different from breakfast in Southeast Asia.
Traditionally, Italian breakfasts are sweet, not savory. This might take some getting used to but the good news here is that you can enjoy cake and cookies in the morning, guilt-free! Breakfast is usually the smallest meal of the day, and consists of only a handful of options. Often, this meal is eaten on-the-go, at a small cafe which usually has a ‘breakfast bar’. The breakfast is always accompanied by a freshly brewed cappuccino, usually along with some cookies to balance out the acidity of the caffeine.
In this blog we take a journey through Italy’s varied flavour palette, through salty and sweet breakfast options that you can recreate with Food Delite’s authentic Italian ingredients.
A Simple Classic: Croissants, Fette Biscottate, Jams & More
Flaky buttery croissants, known as cornettos in Italy, are one of the most popular breakfast foods in this Mediterranean country. Freshly baked and warm, they make for an excellent accompaniment to your morning coffee. It can be enjoyed plain, with butter, or with a nice slathering of jam on top.
Food Delite offers a range of delicious, artisan jams that can be paired with a croissant or fette biscottate. Fette biscottate, which loosely translates to twice-baked slices of bread, is commonly known as ‘rusk’. Rusk is a common snack or accompaniment to tea and coffee, and exists across the world under various names. Fette biscottate is crunchy, crumbly and slightly dry, and might require some getting used to if you haven’t grown up with it.
That being said, our delightful collection of jams can turn any rusk into a delicious snack! Our collection is always growing, but here are some of our favourites:
Strawberry, Red Wine & Pepper Jam
This perfectly balanced preserve elevates the cheese to new heights. The flavors unfold with a wave of wine, followed by the sweet notes of strawberry. A touch of peppery heat emerges last, creating a symphony of sweet, tart, and spicy sensations.
Pear & Vanilla Jam
In a heavenly combination, pear and vanilla come together to create a sweet, tart, and aromatic spread that can be eaten on a cornetto, or with cheese – ideally Grana Padano. Spread it over your rusk or croissant.
Strawberry Honey
Although this is not a jam, this delectable strawberry tree honey possesses a flavour profile unlike any other with bitter and astringent notes that balance out the deep, natural sweetness. This honey can be drizzled over a croissant, and to take it to new levels of deliciousness – smear your croissant with a soft cheese like Ricotta or Mascarpone and drizzle this honey over it.
A Savoury Twist: Polenta, Salami & Frittatas
While sweet is often preferred for an instant burst of energy, Italian breakfasts offer savory options too.
Polenta
Polenta, a versatile cornmeal, is a healthy, gluten-free & savory dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast every day. Food Delite’s Instant Polenta Gialla is a quick and easy base. You can top it with veggies, meats and seasoning of your choice! Think grated Parmigiano Reggiano , a fried egg and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a classic Italian touch.
Shop instant yellow polenta here.
Cold Cuts
Scrambled eggs with Prosciutto di Pama is a classic breakfast that caters to those who prefer a salty & savoury start to the day. Food Delite offers a wide range of cold cuts like this spicy salami or Prosciutto di Parma. Simply slice and add to a juicy frittata, or eat as is! Either way, these meats are sourced from Italy’s finest farms, bringing the true flavour of authentic Italian ingredients to your breakfast table.
Shop our range of Italian cold cuts here.
The Finishing Touches
As you can see, Italian breakfasts can range from sweet to savoury, simple to complex. The key directive here is to stick to a few fresh & authentically Italian ingredients. If you want to make your breakfast spread just a tad more lavish you can add a plate filled with a variety of sliced fruit, a platter of breakfast biscuits like Gocciole and Baiocchi, or if you really want to step things up, you can add a range of breakfast delights like cannoli, crostata and bombolini!
