Brunch is not only as a word a composition of breakfast and lunch. In execution, it is also just that – a popular tradition that is all about getting together.
Origin
Guy Beringer first used the word brunch in 1890 in an article for the Hunter’s Weekly. In it, he advocated for a lighter meal late on Sunday morning to replace the heavy, hearty midday meal after Sunday service. He called it Brunch – Breakfast and Lunch (breakfast and lunch), two meals combined.
Spread and advantages
In the 1920s in the United States, brunch was a luxury enjoyed by the rich and the stars and starlets in hotels. But for a long time it did not remain isolated from other social classes. Starting in the ’30s, the middle class adopted brunch as a cost-effective 2-in-1 meal that they prepared at home. Just a decade later, brunch was so popular that the first brunch cookbook was published. After World War 2, its popularity declined and people from all walks of life enjoyed sleeping in and having a leisurely, sociable meal on Sundays that lasted well into the afternoon. In addition, with the war at the latest, most women went to work and Sunday was the only day of the week when the whole family could sit together. This was also the time when it became common to offer not only home-made food, but also store-bought food and ready-made products.
Eating together at Sunday brunch
Starting in the 60’s, less emphasis was placed on what was eaten. The rule was that everyone could make and offer whatever they wanted. The most important thing was the get-together, the atmosphere, the sociable and cozy. Sunday brunch became so popular in the USA in the eighties that restaurants and hotels began to offer it on Saturdays as well. By the late nineties and early 2000s at the latest, the tradition of brunch spilled over into the rest of the world.
Nowadays brunch is known everywhere, popular and a nice alternative to traditional coffee drinking. You can eat what you want, where and when you want. The time spent together, the enjoyment as well as the informality make brunch so attractive.
Preparation
Depending on the season, the number of people and the host’s cooking skills, the preparations for a successful brunch look different. Usually, an invitation precedes the event. Plans are made about where to sit, how many seats are needed, and how to decorate.
The most important preparation and planning is, of course, the food. It must be considered what and how much you want to offer, what fits the season and what allergies, intolerances or diets of the guests must be considered. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten- and lactose-free dishes and drinks are no longer an obstacle.
Procedure
Brunch usually takes place on a Sunday or holiday and traditionally goes from 11am to 3 or 4pm. However, the schedule and time has changed over the decades so that everyone does it the way that suits them best. Most restaurants, cafes and hotels offer their brunch at fixed times. But those who do their brunch at home are not bound by any rule. The name brunch already says that the meal should combine lunch and breakfast. So the meal should start in the late morning or morning.
Take your time and have fun
Often brunch begins when all the guests have arrived or you start eating and everyone joins in whenever they can make it in time. There is toasting, eating, drinking, lots of talking and laughing. The meal drags on. There is an emphasis on spending a lot of time together and enjoying and feasting on the food. This includes sitting in casual company, sometimes turning to another conversation partner, getting up in between, or maybe even getting out a deck of cards or singing a little song.
What belongs on the brunch table
As far as food and drinks go, hot and cold, sweet and savory, light and hearty – just ingredients for a breakfast and lunch.
The classics at brunch are egg dishes, like fried eggs or scrambled eggs; bread in all colors and shapes; hot dishes like soups and casseroles; cold meats like roast beef and fish. Those who like to cook for themselves and try something new will be in their element and have a blast. However, store-bought and prepared dishes are also popular and just as delicious.
Suitable drinks
Drinks should not be lacking either. If you eat a lot and for a long time, you drink a lot. In the morning, people usually start with a hot wake-up drink, a cup of aromatic coffee or a strong black tea. People also like to toast with a glass of sparkling wine. The longer the meal drags on, the more important a small variety of drinks becomes – juice, mimosa, punch or a hot chocolate (with or without a shot). The same applies to drinks as it does to food – it should be enjoyed.
A small list of ideas for food and drinks for brunch
Pastries:
- Bread and rolls
- Croissants
- Cinnamon buns
Spreads and toppings:
- Sausage, ham and cheese
- Jam
- Guacamole
- Herb butter
- Tomato spread
Hot dishes:
- Scrambled eggs, fried eggs, frittata, quiche
- Bacon
- Fried potatoes
- Soups or solyanka
- Casseroles
Meat and fish:
- pickled or smoked salmon
- Roast beef
Sweets:
- Cakes, brownies, muffins
- Tiramisu
- Waffles
- Fruit salad
Drinks:
- Coffee and tea
- Juices
- punch, punch
- Hot chocolate
- Mimosas, sparkling wine, Bloody Marys
Questions and answers
1.When is the right time for brunch?
Traditionally, brunch is started at 11 am and continues into the afternoon. However, nowadays the time is no longer important. Most often, hosts choose a time between breakfast and lunch. That’s usually between 9:30 and 11. It is best to look at what time suits your guests best and how much time you need to prepare that morning.
2.what belongs to the brunch (list)?
- invitations
- a big table
- enough chairs
- a little decoration
- dishes, cutlery
- enough bowls, platters and baskets to serve the food
- If necessary, a list of allergies, intolerances and special diets
- plenty of food and drinks
- the right atmosphere: a brunch is only as good as the atmosphere that prevails in the room; the more talkative, the better.
3.what to eat for brunch?
For brunch, cold and hot dishes are served. These are typical dishes known from breakfast and lunch – bread and pastries, spreads, fruit salad, warm soups and casseroles, cold meat and fish, and desserts. Also popular is Eggs Benedict. Of course, what should not be missing are hot and cold drinks. Coffee, tea, orange juice, a sparkling wine or mimosa are often on the list of favorites. The perfect mix of sweet and savory, light and sumptuous, hot and cold makes a brunch a highlight.
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