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Brunch

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Brunch is a special meal that combines breakfast and lunch. You might eat it in the late morning or early afternoon. Some people eat it between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Others eat it as late as 3:00 pm.

It is a time to be social and leisurely. People often enjoy this meal on weekends or holidays. You might have brunch for a wedding or on Mother's Day. It is also common for Christmas or Easter.

There are many ways to enjoy a brunch meal. Some places use a buffet style. This is an "all-you-can-eat" way to eat. You can walk around and serve yourself many different foods. Other restaurants use a menu. You pick specific items and a waiter brings them to you.

In some places, like Chinese restaurants, people eat dim sum. This is called yum cha. You can pick small plates from carts that move past your table. These small dishes might be steamed buns or dumplings.

History tells us where the idea began. A British writer named Guy Beringer used the word first. He wrote an essay called "Brunch: A Plea" in 1895. He published it in a magazine called Hunter's Weekly.

He thought it would be a nice Sunday meal for people. In the late 1890s, brunch became popular in New Orleans. A German immigrant named Madame Elizabeth Begué served a "second breakfast" at her restaurant. Her feast had six or seven courses and lasted many hours.

Brunch has many famous names and places. In New York City, it became popular for the upper class between 1920 and 1950. A restaurant called Delmonico's served eggs with truffles and beignets.

Another place, the Hotel Lombardy, called it a "hunt lunch." They charged $1.25 for a full buffet and a drink. In Canada, the Leslieville area in Toronto is called a brunch capital. In the Philippines, a snack eaten in the afternoon is called merienda. This name comes from the time of Spanish rule.

What you eat at brunch depends on where you are. In the United States, people often eat rich foods. You might see eggs Benedict or chicken and waffles.

Some people also drink mimosas or Bloody Marys. In many homes and hotels, you will find pancakes, waffles, and fruit. You might also see meats like bacon, ham, or sausage. Some brunches even include lunch foods like quiche, soup, or salads. It is a meal that brings many different tastes together.

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