Healthy Spanish breakfast options and a few morning "sins"

As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and if you have recently moved to Spain, you will know that understanding the Spanish mealtimes can be harder than it may seem. This country has one of the best cuisines in the world, including its traditional breakfast at 11 am. Before that, healthy Spanish breakfasts include a cup of coffee, yogurt, a piece of fruit & a glass of juice.

So, if you want to feel like a local in your new town, it’s time for you to take a look at the list of top dishes we have prepared, so you can start trying different but tasty new things at strange hours of the day.

Do you have a sweet tooth or do you prefer a healthy Spanish breakfast?

Bread with tomatoes (pan con tomate)

One of the most classic things to eat in the morning and almost at the top of the list of healthy Spanish breakfasts is toast with pureed tomatoes, a small touch of olive oil and a pinch of salt. It may sound plain, but it is nothing of the sort. The taste of a fresh tomato that has been crushed and served on warm, crispy bread creates a delectable mixture of sensations inside your mouth that really lets you know that you are now in Spain.

It’s important to remember to have a cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice with this dish, to make the experience complete and perfect. Oh, and if you’re feeling extra-Spanish, add some cured Serrano ham. Yum!

Fartons with horchata

This is a large and soft piece of sugar-glazed bread, very typical from the city of Valencia. You can’t talk about “fartons” without the “horchata”, they are inseparable. If you’ve never heard the word horchata, and thus have no idea what we’re talking about, you just have to try it and enjoy this combination of sweet perfection.

For the uninitiated: horchata is a drink very similar to milk but it has a distinctive nutty taste, since it’s made from “chufa”, an edible tuba with similarities to both celery and nutmeg.

Churros with hot chocolate

Go to your nearest bar and ask for this amazing treat. A mixture of sugar and cinnamon wrapped up in 8-inch lengths of dough, you will never taste something more Spanish than this. You will have to order it with a cup of hot chocolate, if you're looking to have a perfect sensation of flavours in your mouth, and experience the feeling of being a local in your new city.

Tejeringos

Recently, part of our team had the opportunity to travel the beautiful Ronda in Malaga, part of the region of Andalucía, and they were delighted with this round, sugared, fried treat which is very similar to a piece of “churro”.

It’s made with a syringe called a “tejeringo” from which it gets its name. It is roughly the size of your hand and it’s normally served in a napkin in the form of a cone.

Fruit Bowl

Spain is famous for its selection of fresh fruit, and some locals prefer a lighter healthy Spanish breakfast in the morning, opting for juicy oranges from Valencia or pomegranate from Granada. A dollop of yoghurt if you’re feeling naughty and you’re set for the day.

Tortilla de Patatas

The ultimate classic and most delicious of all, albeit not at the top of the list of healthy Spanish breakfasts, is the Spanish omelette. Ordering a “pincho” of tortilla in any bar feels like you're asking for a slice of pizza. It’s made with eggs and fresh potato, ready to be served with a glass of orange juice or typical “cortado” and a piece of bread.

There are famous places that have their own unique way of making the tortilla. In Madrid, you can find a bar in the middle of Arguelles where they make many different varieties. You can order a tortilla with salmon or sausage, or even with octopus or “pulpo a la gallega”, and it’s the perfect place to bring friends and family to relax and enjoy the amazing flavours, and of course, to feel like the locals.