Alongside beans or under prawns, toast can be enjoyed in limitless ways. Discover how people from across the globe prefer our favorite snack-time delicacy!
As if you needed further proof that toast is the most exceptional of snacks, we’re here to tell you that this is a truth universally acknowledged. Not only is toast a staple in homes across all 50 states, but it’s hugely popular abroad as well.
Keep reading and we’ll tell you all about how people in other countries enjoy their toasted breads. Who knows, you may even pick up on a few new twists on the classic you’ll want to try in your own kitchen!
India
Bursting with flavor from spices like coriander, cumin, and cayenne pepper, Indian food strikes the perfect balance between spicy, sweet, and savory. This culture’s take on toast is no exception to the rule.
“Bombay toast,” as this delicacy is known across the world, consists of bread that is dipped into a mixture of egg, turmeric, salt, and green chiles and then cooked on both sides. After the bread has been toasted, it’s topped with mixed vegetables like onions and potatoes.
If you’re a glutton like the rest of us here at TT, you can even opt to turn your Bombay toast into a Bombay sandwich with an extra slice of bread. Either way, this savory treat is perfect for breakfast or at any other time of the day!
France
Unlike french fries (which come from Belgium) french toast does actually hail from France. There, the treat is called “pain perdu”—which translates to “lost bread” in English. Essentially, the dish is made in French homes after fresh bread turns stale and is likely to become lost, or unused. So the recipe is just as thrifty as it is delicious!
In France, pain perdu is typically served as a late morning meal or as a dessert. It can be made from brioche, baguettes, or any other breads that have gone stale in the pantry. Simply slice the bread and dip it into an egg-milk mixture before toasting on each side. Serve the delicacy with butter and powdered sugar to truly delight your guests.
Singapore
In Singapore, Kaya Toast is a staple breakfast meal that is often served with coffee or tea. The bread can either be toasted or cooked on a charcoal grill before being slathered with butter and kaya (a traditional coconut jam.)
This treat is exceptionally sweet and delicious and is often served as a sandwich with a generous helping of kaya served between two slices of toast. The word “kaya” is Malay for “rich,” —an accurate description of this sweet meal.
Great Britain
Beans on toast! A novel idea, but not if you’re from England.
Beans on toast has been a longstanding tradition for our British friends. However, the recipe was first introduced, rather ironically, by the American company Heinz in an attempt to sell more canned beans in English factories during WWII.
Although the need for cheap, protein-packed meals is no longer quite as relevant, beans on toast were such a huge hit in Great Britain that it remains a popular breakfast item to this day. To make beans on toast, simply warm up a can of Heinz beans and pour it over a freshly toasted slice of bread!
Australia
For our bread-loving friends down under, there’s only one way to eat toast: with a healthy slathering of Vegemite on top! For those who don’t know, Vegemite is a hugely popular condiment in Australia. It’s a concentrated yeast spread that tastes salty and somewhat bitter. It’s a pretty divisive treat in other parts of the world, but Aussies love it on just about everything—including toast.
Sweden
Sweden is known for its sweet pastries, but if you’ve ever visited a Swedish bakery or the country itself, you know that all their breads are delicious. So if you want to elevate your toast experience, try swapping out your grocery store bread with homemade Swedish-style white bread!
The United States
We know we don’t have to tell you how to enjoy toast the good old-fashioned American way. But if you’re looking to switch it up from the traditional bread, butter, and homemade strawberry jam, you can try another American favorite: avocado toast.
Simply spread avocado over the top of your toasted bread and then sprinkle chopped onions and tomatoes on top. Then, finish up with a fine layer of everything bagel seasoning to give your breakfast a tasty kick.
While these two versions of toast are quintessentially American, we believe that any and all forms of the breakfast delicacy are in keeping with U.S. tradition. After all, according to a survey sponsored by I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, 70% of Americans choose toast regularly for breakfast. So remember, whether you prefer it salty or sweet, next to beans or under prawns, eating toast is a very American thing to do.
