All countries and cultures have different foods eaten at breakfast. Of all the different cuisines, I would have to say nothing tops or compares to a Turkish breakfast.

Traditional Turkish breakfast at homes consists mainly of different varieties of cheese, with white cheese (beyaz peynir) being the most common, eggs, thick cream (kaymak) with honey, tahini with molasses, tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, parsley, homemade jams, bread, butter and hot tea.

On the weekends or for guests simit, pisi (fried dough), flat bread, poaca, borek (savory pastries) french fries, fried peppers and tomatoes, menemen (eggs cooked in tomatoes, peppers and onions) hot dogs, pastirma, beef sausages and salami are served at home. Not to mention fresh fruit, dried nuts and fruits and chocolate spread. Unlike sweet pastries and other foods eaten for breakfast in other countries, Turkish breakfasts fit the Mediterranean diet in that vegetables and cheeses are eaten more.

The term brunch has come into the Turkish language not that everyone knows the meaning of the word. If a café serves brunch, you can find chicken, meatballs, green salads and olive oil vegetable dishes and desserts, as well. Cafes and restaurants pride themselves in the variety and selection of foods on their menu. To these traditional foods from the past, cafes have added international foods to their menus such as orange juice, pancakes, muffins, crepes, cereal, and croissants. As a beverage there is all you can drink tea.  Recently filter coffee is a preferred choice of beverage for some. After breakfast is eaten, Turkish coffee is given as an extra meal item.

Why has it become so popular ?

During the week, working women can only prepare a simple breakfast because it is time consuming.    It is only on the weekends, they go out of their way to prepare the elaborate traditional breakfast.

The trendy thing to do is spend time with family and friends by going out for breakfast. It used to be you would invite others, but this is becoming ever increasingly difficult. Prices have skyrocketed and unaffordable to treat someone. Prices can change drastically, especially in Istanbul, depending on  location whether it is in a historical area or in a park with a view. On the weekends what people want is an extended time to spend with family and friends, to eat and drink and rest and relax. Effortless get together. A way to spend Sundays. People don’t seem to mind dressing up in the morning, getting their kids ready and driving a long distance.  The cafes open at 10 and continue serving breakfast till 2 or 3 in the afternoon. After finishing such a large breakfast, some say they won’t eat anything for dinner or have a lite dinner. Thereby, Sunday’s valuable time isn’t spent on cooking.

The restaurants aim to lure customers by having live music, daily newspapers, music videos and cater to children by giving toys and having special play areas. Customers end up sitting for long hours and eating or drinking extras from the menu.

Most of these breakfasts advertise as being a “village breakfast” meaning cheese, butter, eggs, honey are organic and jams are homemade and come from local villages. These breakfasts or brunches used to be buffet style. All you can eat. Now what’s common now is “serpme”. All of the breakfast items/foods put on small plates, are served scattered on the table. Portions are small, usually one per person, but because of the choices being many, you end up not finishing everything on the table.

For some these breakfasts are wasteful. Leftovers end up in the trash.

Some cafes are trying to come up with new ideas to attract the younger generation designing new menus and labeling it as breakfast. One popular high-end café actually called an open-faced sandwich served with salad a breakfast at an exorbitant price. Tea was also extra.

Actually, breakfast is the easiest meal to prepare. Just slice and put the items on plates. Simit and the Savory pastries are found fresh from the ovens and bakeries. When prepared at home, it could cost up to fifty percent lower and the quality of cheeses and meats would be higher.

With these,high prices, people are turning to other ways to enjoy breakfast. Going to parks with friends and family each bringing a breakfast item or going back to inviting guests to their homes.

When in Turkiye experience it at least once. It’s hard to predict what the next fad will be. Wait and see.