Spices for breakfast

Breakfast is often thought of as a plain meal, yet spices appear in the first meal of the day in many countries, from cardamom in Nordic buns to turmeric in Indian poha and cumin in Egyptian ful.

Sweet breakfasts

Cinnamon is the great breakfast spice of the West, in porridge, buns, French toast and cereal. Nordic bakers use cardamom in their morning breads and buns. Vanilla flavours pancakes, and nutmeg is grated over milk and oatmeal.

Savoury breakfasts

In India, poha and upma are tempered with mustard seed, curry leaf and turmeric, and parathas are served with pickle. In Egypt, ful medames is seasoned with cumin. In Mexico, chilaquiles and huevos rancheros carry chilli, and in Israel and the Middle East shakshuka is built on paprika, cumin and chilli.

Hot drinks

Tea and coffee are often spiced at breakfast, with cardamom in Arabic coffee, ginger and clove in masala chai, and cinnamon in Mexican coffee.