What is the Difference Between Breakfast and Brunch? (Updated 2024)

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Ingredients: French Toast Casserole; Hash Browns; Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Casserole; Easy Eggs Benedict Casserole with Hollandaise Sauce; Western Omelet Quiche

Updated Mar 22, 2023Recipe Marker

Curious about how breakfast and brunch differ? Surely, you’ve encountered the two terms numerous times before.

From simple inquiries to formal invitations, a ton of occasions carry these terms.

But, how exactly do these two vary? What makes one meal breakfast and the other brunch?

If you’re not aware yet, then here is a comprehensive guide that will help you draw the line between the two.

Generally, knowing how these terms vary can help you know how to properly respond to certain questions and have the ability to set up a more accurate meal schedule for your diet plan.

To cut to the chase, here is everything you need to know about breakfast and brunch and how the two meals differ. Read on.

Defining the Terms: Breakfast vs Brunch

To make the comparison clearer, let’s start by laying down the definitions of each word.

It’s safe to say that many are familiar with the term “breakfast” but not as many are familiar with “brunch.”

After all, the first term is more often used and has actually been present in language longer than the latter.

As you likely already know, the term “breakfast” refers to the first meal of the day, which is usually taken in the morning before taking on the day’s work.

Meanwhile, the word “brunch,” which only appeared in 1896, combines the words “breakfast” with “lunch” and is used to refer to a meal usually taken late in the morning.

Essentially, the time they happen and the menu items included in each set the two apart.

Origin of Breakfast

Generally, the story of how the concept of having breakfast came to be is a long and complex one.

According to Breakfast Cereal, the meal’s origin traces back as far as the Neolithic age.

At the time, men used large stones to grind grains and make a sort of porridge that they likely ate early in the morning.

Later, when the Medieval age arrived, eating early in the day became a necessity for peasants who had early tasks to attend to, while the petit-bourgeois took the practice as a sort of luxury.

It was not until the 16^th century, however, that breakfast finally became part of man’s day-to-day routine.

According to historians, the concept of breakfast came along with the birth of employment.

With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, people made it a routine to have a meal first thing in the morning before they left for a full day’s work.

Priceonomics provided a common list of foods usually served for breakfast. Among these included bread, porridges, or leftovers – anything quick and easy to prepare.

Since then, the meaning of breakfast as we know it today came into effect.

History of Brunch

While the history of breakfast goes a long way back, the birth of “brunch” only dates back to the 1890s.

Specifically, the term is said to have been coined by the British writer Guy Beringer, who first used it in his article entitled “Brunch: A Plea.”

In the article, Beringer proposed the concept of a Sunday meal that combined breakfast with lunch to assist those who drank heavily on Saturday nights.

This hybrid meal, according to him, would be perfect for those who wanted to ease their previous evening’s hangover, as it was lighter compared to the traditional Sunday supper.

From then onwards, the idea of “brunch” began to spread and different cultures worldwide adopted it.

Today, however, while Guy Beringer described the meal as “lighter” than normal Sunday supper, modern-day brunch often includes lavish buffets with heavy meals and sweet desserts.

According to Mashed.com, this transformation may be linked to “the age of conspicuous consumption” led by the American elites.

Breakfast vs Brunch

Perks of Having Breakfast

Eating breakfast boosts your energy levels, making you more prepared to welcome the day.
Available studies suggest that eating breakfast can help improve your metabolism and therefore help in weight management.
Eating breakfast helps you develop better-eating habits.
People who eat their meals early in the morning are less likely to feel hungry during the day.

Perks of Having Brunch

With two meals in one, you can have both sweet and savory options in one go.
Since it also serves as your first meal of the day, eating brunch also promises improved brainpower and energy.
Generally, brunch is considered a social activity. You’ll get to spend your time eating food you love with people you like.