Europeans Adore a Prevalent American Food Tradition, as Perceived by Rick Steves
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For many Europeans, the American breakfast scene can be a culture shock, but also a delightful surprise. The contrast between the typically lighter, simpler European breakfasts and the hearty, indulgent American breakfasts is a draw for many travelers.
Germans, for instance, often enjoy bread with meat and cheese, rolls with butter or jam, or muesli or cereal for breakfast. In Poland, cold cuts and sliced cheese are used to make an open-faced sandwich, while Italians start their mornings with a cappuccino and bread or jam, or a traditional pastry like a cornetto.
However, the American breakfast experience, with its larger portion sizes and variety of hearty foods, offers a more substantial and satisfying start to the day. This is particularly appealing to those used to lighter meals, as it provides a different, more indulgent experience.
The American breakfast tradition, which evolved to include hot, cooked dishes in larger quantities, carries a cultural association with comfort and warmth. This contrasts with the quick, minimalist breakfast habits seen in modern Europe and America alike due to busy lifestyles.
European travelers find the American breakfast experience memorable due to the over-the-top, unapologetic indulgence. Despite criticizing these aspects for indulgence, many enjoy American breakfast foods. The novelty and abundance of American breakfast staples such as pancakes, bacon, eggs, and waffles are a treat for many.
Rick Steves, an American traveler and TV personality, has firsthand experience of this. He has conversations with locals in Europe and recommends being adventurous eaters while traveling through Europe. Rick himself has been known to eat peanut butter and strawberry jam for breakfast while traveling in Europe.
Claudia, a Roman tour guide, is charmed by the American tradition of gathering for a big breakfast or brunch. She sees it as a way for Europeans to get the most out of their food tourism experience. Some of the best cities for food lovers to add to their bucket lists include those in America, where the American breakfast experience can be a highlight.
Despite the differences, it's not uncommon for comparisons between American and European cuisine to come up in conversations with locals. The "full" English breakfast, with its larger portion sizes and hot food choices, is slightly closer to the American style. However, European breakfast portions are often quick, small, and simple.
In Italy, it is not common to see families going out for breakfast. Instead, Italians typically start their mornings with a cappuccino and bread or jam, or a traditional pastry. This continental-style breakfast, favored by figures like Thomas Jefferson after living in Europe, is a stark contrast to the American breakfast tradition.
In summary, Europeans appreciate the American breakfast for its generous portions, hot and hearty food choices, and the cultural appeal of a more indulgent morning meal, despite these aspects differing from their usual breakfast customs. This contrast, the novelty, and the abundance of American breakfast staples make the American breakfast a memorable and enjoyable experience for many European travelers.
[1] Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States, favored the continental-style breakfast after living in Europe. [5] This information is based on conversations with locals and observations made by Rick Steves during his travels.
- Travelers from Europe often find the American lifestyle, particularly the food-and-drink culture, to be a delightful surprise during their travel experiences, with the memorable and indulgent American breakfast being a significant aspect.
- During their travels, many Europeans are intrigued by the American tradition of travel involving a focus on food and drink, such as visiting cities known for their food tourism experiences and indulging in heartier meals, which contrasts with their usual lifestyles.
