Here's What A Common Breakfast In Italy Really Looks Like

The diversity of food is an interesting thing. Pizza, for example, in the United States is nowhere near what pizza is like in Italy, and Tex-Mex uses completely different ingredients than that of authentic Mexican cuisine. Additionally, the way different cultures view breakfast, lunch, and dinner could quite possibly be nothing like what you're used to. 

In the United States, dinner is regarded as the largest meal of the day, while lunch and breakfast are typically smaller (per Spoon University). This is likely due to the structure of jobs in the present day. Conversely, countries such as Greece and Spain enjoy their biggest meal in the early afternoon (per Olive Tomato). However, schedule difficulties are sometimes an obstacle in the Mediterranean area as well.

Breakfast is another meal that changes from country to country. According to Travel World Online, a traditional American breakfast consists of pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, pork, and fried potatoes. Italy, however, is a completely different world when it comes to the first meal of the day.

Those in Italy begin their day in a very different way than those in the United States. Instead of opting for a full spread of food, Italians are keen on morning coffee and an accompanying pastry (per CNN). Espresso and cappuccino are among the most commonly ordered coffee beverages, and pastries can include croissants and other breaded items filled with custard or Nutella.

For those who aren't aware, Nutella is a hazelnut spread that hails from the country itself (via Livitaly Tours). Like many others, a pastry chef named Pietro Ferrero was struggling with a cocoa shortage during World War II. He needed to find a way to make his pastries, so he mixed in the little cocoa he had with hazelnuts and sugar. Today, an Italian coffee shop wouldn't be complete without it. 

When it comes to the other breakfast staple, coffee, its espresso form is the most consumed beverage in the country (per Special Coffee Italy). In fact, 97% of Italians drink coffee in general not just once, but many times per day. It's safe to say Italians' love for Nutella and coffee runs deeper than the water in the Trevi Fountain.