Morning meal is very important, and skipping it is not recommended. What kind of breakfast is it and why is it called that?
What is a continental breakfast?
This breakfast is based on the traditions of the Mediterranean region. This meal is similar to a light breakfast. It is meant to have a little bite before lunch.
Most often, the service is as follows. In small hotels, often inexpensive, a guest kitchen is created, where each client can take dishes, dishes, drinks. In expensive hotels, waiters often work, serving tables and serving drinks.
Interesting fact: the most expensive breakfast cost 600,000 euros - a company of millionaires decided to have breakfast in a high-mountain Swiss restaurant in the center of the glacier.
The composition of the breakfast varies. Some hotels offer cornflakes, soft or hot drinks, pastries, and more.
Typical composition:
- drink (tea, coffee, cocoa);
- fruits;
- milk products;
- jam;
- bakery products;
- omelette;
- cereals;
- meat cutting.
This light breakfast is popular in Mediterranean and European countries. Most often it is offered in large international hotel chains.
Origin
There are several types of breakfasts that are accepted in certain countries:
- European (continental);
- English or full English (bacon, fried eggs, mushrooms, vegetables, toasts);
- Chinese (light - vegetables, fruits, seafood);
- Russian (hearty - cereals, eggs, casseroles, etc.);
- Indian (vegetarian with spices).
The concept of a continental breakfast arose in the 19th century and was invented by the British. Coming from the islands to the European continent, they lived in an inn or in hotels.
There they were fed a light and simple breakfast, instead of the so-called "heavy", usual for the British - beans, fried eggs and bacon. And that's why they began to call such snacks "continental."
Interesting fact: “Continent” in Britain refers to the countries that form the continental part of Europe, that is, the mainland.
In the 20th century, this practice began to be used in the USA, in hotels and motels. Here, instead of a heavy breakfast, a light snack was introduced. Near roadside hotels even signs began to appear with advertisements - “Continental breakfast”.
