Every country has its own breakfast tradition and both Germany and England, or, well the UK in this instance, are no exception to this. After moving here I quickly realised how different our customs really are when it comes to food – including the, of course, most important meal of the day: breakfast.

What’s it all about?

According to the English Breakfast Society (which I didn’t know existed, but aren’t surprised now that I know) the iconic dish came into existence after the Norman Invasion in 1066 – which means it’s almost a thousand years old. Obviously, changes have been made throughout the century and, as they mention, things like sausages, eggs or bacon have been added way, way later – but the entire concept of this special breakfast originated there. If you want to learn more about it, I recommend having a read through the article I mention – it’s fascinating!

What are the ingredients?

A Full English is packed with things. What you first need to know is that basically everything on the plate is hot. Which mind not sound odd to you as a Brit – but for a German, at least, it does. Right, let’s have a breakdown:

• Bacon: These are some thick stripes. I learned that Brits prefer back bacon, which has a little bit of loin included, meaning that they are quite, well, thick. Not the thin crispy type you’d expect (though also works).
• Sausages: There are several types available here, just pick what you like!
• Blood Pudding: Blood pudding is a type of blood sausage and genuinely only eaten in a Full English Breakfast, if I am not mistaken.
• Eggs: Can’t have FEB (abbreviating it now, it’s quite a long term) without some sunny side up eggs!
• Baked Beans: Of course, there have to be beans.
• Grilled Tomatoes: Well, not really grilled, just given a bit of colour in the pan, really.
• Fried Mushrooms: Nicely browned!
• Toast: Okay, now listen. This isn’t your everyday toast – this one doesn’t go into the toaster. This one is fried. Yep. Either in butter or oil.
• Hash Browns: This one’s a bonus – it’s not typically in a FEB, but it can be. It’s just another fancy thing and especially hotels, for example, have these added in. Because obviously, the rest wasn’t enough yet.

Are Brits really eating it daily?

Of course not.

It’s delicious, but quite some effort to get this going, simply because there are so many different things to have at home and heat up all at the same time. But it is something that everyone knows and loves, so it’s a special thing on, say, Sundays if you want – definitely if you’re out and about on holiday or even when out for a pub lunch.

Instead, we’ve got the classics on a morning. Some bread with stuff on it, some cornflakes or Müsli, a sandwich maybe – or a meal deal.

[Picture by Jonathan Farber – nom!]