CHAPTER 4
In order to outline all aspects of breakfast, we need to differentiate it from the other meals taken during the day, which are separate in terms of social norms, customs and consumption. Breakfast is distinguished not only by the time of day, but also by the place where it is eaten: the same meal can give rise to different gastronomic experiences. In this chapter, we examine the main characteristics of bars, restaurants and hotels, highlighting their peculiarities.
In addition to the place of consumption, breakfast varies according to geographical area. Although in the collective imagination the Italian breakfast only uses sweet products, it is important to consider it as a social and cultural habit that varies from one city to another. In fact, it is not uncommon to find traditional savoury breakfasts. We compare the extent to which breakfast is a ritual according to consumption and place in order to better understand the social dynamics. We will also look at international traditions to give a picture of the first meal of the day around the world.
