Authentic breakfast in Puglia

Authentic breakfast in Puglia

Local flavors and Breakfast Culture

Puglia breakfast culture

Breakfast in Puglia commonly tends to be a simple, quick meal often consumed between 7 am and 10 am. Cafe and bar hours throughout Puglia open early to accommodate workers and tourists seeking a quick breakfast before work or other daily activities. Cappuccino, espresso, and a variety of sweet pastries adorned the counters of the local cafes for a quick pick-me-up. Puglia is known for its delicious food, and breakfast pastries are no exception.

One important note is that Italian breakfast is often lighter than most other countries. Breakfast is seen as a substance that gets you through until the main meal of the day, lunch, is the primary focus meal. In Puglia, lunch is commonly taken between 12:30 pm and 3 pm. Lunch is considered an essential part of the day in Puglia, where it is common for friends and family to gather for a leisurely meal of locally sourced food and a glass of wine. Many people leave work and join their families and friends at home or local establishments for a meal, then enjoy rest until they return to work around 4 pm to finish their work day.

I will highlight mid-day meals in future posts.

Typical Puglian Breakfast

While traveling throughout the towns in Puglia, Italy, these were amongst my favorite typical Puglian breakfast items.

 Coffee

Italians love their coffee, drinking approximately 3.7 kilograms per person a year. Coffee culture is a tradition and part of everyday life. It is common to find a local barista who has mastered their craft at the same cafe or bar for over ten years. Take advantage of family-owned bars and cafes while traveling throughout Puglia. To my delight, I discovered many with local specialty coffee and espresso drinks setting their bar apart from the one in the neighboring town.

Coffee to Experience in Puglia

  • Espresso When ordering coffee at the bar, it is already expected to be espresso. It is best to state what you would like in addition. Sugar will always be served on the side of any espresso or coffee. If you want alternative milk such as almond or a specialty drink, just ask them. Heads up, if you order a latte, you may be surprised by receiving a glass of milk.
  • Cappuccino This beloved espresso-based coffee beverage originated in Italy but is now consumed globally. What is not to like with a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and topped with a layer of thick, velvety milk foam? Some coffee bars will ask if you would like chocolate on top (powder). I have not seen cinnamon put on cappuccinos like in the United States in the Puglia region.
  • Coffee del Nonno (special coffee or coffee of the Grandfather) contains espresso, lemon zest, almond syrup, and whipped cream. It is carefully made to blend the harmonious flavors uniquely together. It is the most palette-pleasing espresso drink I have ever experienced. The balance between sweet, sour, and the velvety smooth texture was luxurious. This specialty coffee can primarily be found in Polignano A Mare at a cafe called ILSuper Mago del Gelo

Italian Coffee Culture

Did you know that most Italians don’t drink cappuccino after breakfast hours? Traditionally, the more filling milk-based drink was only consumed for breakfast, not to take away from the larger meal of the day, lunch. Additionally, the milk is thought to interfere with the digestion of the heavier meals of the day. May I recommend ordering a macchiato vs a cappuccino after 11:00 am to embrace the local coffee culture?

Local Breakfast Options In Puglia

Puglia is well known for its abundance of delicious pastries and variety of breakfast choices. The cafes and bars have counters chocked full of traditional Italian pastries, sweet and savory. The options are vast and endless when picking out pastries in Italy. Especially in Puglia. In each town, I found the cafe owner had their creative nuances on traditional pastries. Narrowing down my top four items, these were my ultimate favorites.  

Traditional Puglia Pastries For Breakfast

Pasticciotto Leccese

These oval-shaped pastry tarts with various fillings include sweet custard cream, chocolate, lemon curd, and fruits. Pasticciotto is often offered in two sizes: regular and mini. My go-to for breakfast is the lightly sweetened custard cream and cherries Pasticciotto. It is Delicious! ( above feature picture and third image)

Focaccine

The famous half-moon-shaped pastries found traditionally in the Puglia region were initially made for the holidays now, are enjoyed year-round, and are a fantastic bite-size breakfast to accompany your morning beverage. The dough is made from soft, yeasted dough with a touch of sugar and white wine. Focaccia is often filled in the Puglia region with local fruits such as grapes cooked into a slightly chunky purée; additional fillings, fig, quince, and apple, are very popular. Check with the baker if you have a nut allergy; many of these pastries have small amounts of almonds or walnuts added during cooking. Focaccia is the perfect bite-size portion to try one of each flavor, especially if you have a friend to share with. The slightly sweet and tender dough will give you the pick-me-up you need to start the day in Puglia style.  ( above feature picture fifth image)

Cornetto

This pastry is related to the Croissant in that it is a flaky, buttery pastry. One of the main differences between the two is that the Croissant has more butter than the Cornetto, whereas the Cornetto has more eggs. Both are flakey and buttery, and they are a fantastic experience to eat any time of the day! The Cornetto is often lightly sprinkled with sugar before baking and then can be filled with jam and chocolate. The Cornetto’s crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior melt in your mouth, especially when paired with a cappuccino. (Above feature picture fourth image)

Fresh Focaccia & Olive Oil

Freshly baked Focaccia plain with olive oil and a scant pinch of salt is an alternative to the sweet’s flaky pastries. The cherry tomatoes with olive oil focaccia are my favorite savory breakfast item. The dough is light, spongy and tender. The cherry tomatoes and olive oil seep into the perfectly baking bread, enveloping the fresh ingredients of the Puglia flavoring the finished Focaccia. Focaccia makes for a more substantial meal for breakfast. It is a good choice if you are not used to the lighter Italian breakfast. (above feature picture second image)

Resource’s

While these are a summarized version of the many bars and Pasticceria’s I have frequently visited throughout Puglia, I feel these are well worth a visit. I have listed these places by city for authentic coffee and Pasticceria bars.

Martina Franca

Pasticceria Adua  Via Paisiello, 62, 74015 Martina Franca TA

Panificio Angelini Bakery Via die Fiori, 8, 74015 Martina Franca TA

Cisternino

Bar FOD di Pinto Francesco Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 5, 72014 Cisternino BR

Almond Pasticceria Artigianale Contrada Tanzarella, 37/A/2, 72014 Cisternino BR

Polignano a Mare

Da Luciano-La Puglia destro Via Martiri di Dogali, 5, 7044 Polignano a Mare BR

Polignano a Mare at a cafe called IL Super Mago del Gelo Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 22, 70044 Polignano a Mare BR

La Gocacceria Delle Noci Marco  Via San Vito 10, 7044 Polignano a Mare Italia ( savory choice as pictured)

Conclusion

In conclusion, to experience an authentic Puglia breakfast, remember to keep it quick, sweet, and caffeinated. Savor the experience of listening to locals and seeing the magic orchestra of efficiency of the barista behind the bar, serving you their typical local specialties. From city to city throughout Puglia, delight in the new experience awaiting you.

Have you been to Southern Italy? Are you a sweet or savory breakfast eater? 

Share your Italian Breakfast experience with me at [email protected]

Buon appetito,

Shelly

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