The Full English Breakfast
by brl
The Full English Breakfast is a coronary on a plate, but so worth it. Here are the typical ingredients and some yummy pictures.
| “ | To eat well in England you should have breakfast three times a day. | ” |
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—W. Somerset Maugham |
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Yes please, if it's a Full English! A Full English Breakfast is a true delight. Not so much for your heart or waistline, but it will definitely tickle your tastebuds.
Also known as a "fry-up" since many of the ingredients are fried, a Full English Breakfast is a traditional part of English culture.
I've listed the typical ingredients below. There can be some variation but if you stick with these you know you're having a proper Full English Breakfast.
 The Full English Breakfast |
Typical Full English Breakfast Ingredients
- Beans
- Sausage
- Fried bread or toast
- Fried mushrooms
- Black pudding
- Back or streaky bacon
- Eggs
- Fried or grilled tomatoes
Fry everything except the beans, which should be warmed up in a pot on the stove. Accompany the breakfast with ketchup, salt, pepper, HP sauce (some say the most important ingredient of the whole breakfast) and Sarsons malt vinegar for the fried bread, mushrooms and tomatoes.
A first course of juice and cereal or porridge is quite normal. Don't forget the tea (preferably Tetley or PG Tips brand) and Seville orange marmalade!
A Full English isn't a Full English without tea...
 | Tetley British Blend Naturally Decaffeinated Premium Black Tea, 40-Count Tea Bags (Pack of 6) Naturally Decaffeinated British Blend Premium Black Tea Bags, 40 count |
 | PG Tips Black Tea, Pyramid Tea Bags, 40-Count Boxes (Pack of 6) PG Tips Black Tea, Pyramid Tea Bags, 4.4 Ounces, 6-Count Boxes |
... and Seville orange marmalade!
 |
| Mackays Natural Fruit Seville Orange Marmalade 340g Only $9.99 |
Preparing a proper cup of breakfast tea
According to English standards
First, you have to start with the proper brand of tea. Only Tetley or PG Tips brands are acceptable.
The water must be boiled, no sissy microwaved water for the Brits.
Place the teabag into the cup then add the boiling water. Steep for at least two minutes.
Milk in tea is a requirement, almost a law, in England, and never cream or powdered creamer. If you add sugar it must be white sugar. Never put honey in your tea in front of an Englishman or else... well just don't.
 The Full English Breakfast |
History of the Full English Breakfast
Tea didn't come to England until the 17th century. Before tea was introduced to England people usually ate two meals per day and breakfast consisted of beef, bread and ale.
The Full English Breakfast today came to fruition in the Victorian era. Victorian home economist Isabella Beeton suggests in The Book of Household Management (1861) that along with typical Full English Breakfast ingredients, such things as broiled fish, dried haddock and rumpsteak be served.
In the 1950's a full 50% of Brits enjoyed a hot breakfast every day, now it's only 1%! Full English Breakfasts seem to have been relegated to Sunday fry-ups and hotel stays.
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 The Full English Breakfast |
Gary Rhodes shows how to make the perfect Full English
Looking for more recipes from England?
They actually do have pretty good food!
 | England's Heritage Cookbook: A Regional Guide To The Classic Dishes, Tastes And Culinary ... A wonderful new guide to the food and cooking of England, with special emphasis on regional traditions and ingredients, and more than 160 classic recipes. Only $29.99 |
 | Great British Cooking: Wellkept Secret, A This book is a revelation to Americans who have never tasted real Cornish Pasties, Scotch Woodcock (a splendid version of scrambled eggs) or Brown Bread Ice Cream. From the ... |
 | Seven Centuries of English Cooking: A Collection of Recipes The hundreds of recipes in Maxime de la Falaise's delightful book triumphantly attest to the virtues of Anglo-Saxon gastronomy. Rich with the historical sense of taste, this ... |
 The Full English Breakfast |
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Comments
Nice page, with so many bits of interesting info. I missed all of it when I visited the UK (honey in my coffee, and no real breakfast, etc. :D).
I know. I try not to look at this page when I am hungry. :)
I am hungry now!:) The only thing I don't like much is sausage.
I think a pint of beer or a cup of tea are equally acceptable. :)
One of many, many, many English things I adore is definitely breakfast! If I visit London for pleasure, I start the day with huge, delicious breakfast - it allows me have a glass of Scotch around eleven :) Moreover, it can be washed down with a nice pint of great English beer :)
Seriously, if I take a walking trip to discover London's beauties, a proper breakfast holds me up until dinner. I love that!
p.s.
For those who blame beans: Where I live, we add a leaf of laurel (Laurus nobilis) while cooking the beans. It makes the dish smelling pleasantly and also improves the digestion.
Once again, with or without beans, English breakfast is amazing day starter!
Lissie, I can handle the occaisional bean but only have them for breakfast when I'm having a full English... and will be alone for a while. :)
Grits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grits
Yeah I hate beans! Oddly enough I found traditional full Irish Breakfasts don't seem to include them (thank goodness!) BTW what the heck are grits ??
lw- Just don't tell anyone. :)
Brenda- Yep, just add grits!
Your English breakfast looks very much like the breakfast that southerners eat in the U.S., or at least they used to eat it. I take that back. Judging from the waistlines of many southerners, I think many of them still eat it.
I much prefer a bowl of cereal or a slice of toast myself so maybe I'm letting my country down!