How do spices bring benefits right from breakfast?

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, offering an excellent opportunity to incorporate spices with numerous benefits into your morning routine. Whether you prefer sweet dishes, savoury options, or caffeine-free drinks, spices not only bring exotic flavours to your table but also provide numerous health advantages.

Boost your health with spices from the morning

Incorporating spices into your breakfast is not just about enhancing flavour, it’s also about promoting good health. Spices are known to be rich in antioxidants, boost metabolism, and possess anti-inflammatory properties. They add exotic flavours while promoting healthier digestion and strengthening your immune system. Including these ingredients in your morning meal ensures you start the day with energy and vitality.

Exploring new morning traditions: Asian inspiration

Why not explore other cultures to diversify your breakfast? In Southeast Asia, breakfast is often savoury, with soups enjoyed in the morning for their comforting and nourishing qualities. In Vietnam, for instance, pho is a soup made with beef or chicken broth, flavoured with spices like cinnamon, star anise, also known as badiane, and cardamom, and garnished with fresh herbs such as kaffir lime or galangal, which can be found in dried form.

In Cambodia, savoury breakfasts are rich in spices and herbs, offering both complex flavours and health benefits. Typical dishes include pork sausages with lemongrass and ginger, two spices with digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as Bai Sach Chrouk, grilled pork infused with garlic and lemongrass. Kuy Teav noodle soups, flavoured with galangal and Kampot pepper, stimulate digestion and warm you up in the morning. Bobor, a rice porridge, is a comforting and mild choice, seasoned with ginger and pepper, while banh chhev, crispy turmeric pancakes, offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

Incorporating spices into sweet dishes

For a perfect start to the day with a sweet breakfast, several spices and preparations can enhance your dishes while providing health benefits.

Begin with chai, a blend of Asian spices often used in lattes, featuring black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and sometimes black pepper and cloves. These spices help stimulate digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and improve circulation.

Cassia cinnamon, for example, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s a perfect ingredient to flavour your cassia cinnamon granola or energising smoothies. For yoghurt lovers, a tamarind-cinnamon sauce can transform plain yoghurt into a real treat. This sauce combines the tanginess of tamarind with the sweetness of cinnamon, offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Young ginger, with its anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties, can be added to cake, pancake, or smoothie recipes for a spicy and invigorating touch. A favourite in Autumn and Winter, it gives you an energy boost from the moment you wake up.

Wild cardamom, rich in antioxidants, is known to aid digestion. For a quick way to enjoy its unique aroma, our Duo of Cardamoms sauce can elevate sweet dishes like pancakes or be added to yoghurt for a burst of flavour and health benefits.

Turmeric is a spice renowned for its anti-inflammatory effects thanks to curcumin, its main active compound. It is considered a “superfood” for its various virtues. It can be incorporated into golden lattes, smoothies, or pancakes, adding a lovely golden hue and detoxifying, anti-inflammatory properties.

Spices to enhance savoury dishes

For those who prefer a savoury breakfast, spices can also play a vital role.

Scrambled eggs or omelettes can be spiced up with sauces like Khmer Masala Sauce. This sauce adds an Asian twist while boosting digestion and energy. For a milder taste, opt for Duo of Green Peppers sauce, which pairs perfectly with fried eggs. This lightly spicy blend helps stimulate metabolism in the morning, an excellent way to start your day feeling great.
Avocado toast can be elevated with spices like Smoked Paprika or Kampot Pepper Sauce, whether green or black, offering subtle warmth. These exceptional pepper sauces enhance the flavour of your dishes while boosting your immune system.

Smoked salmon, often served at breakfast with blinis or toast, can be complemented with spices such as Kampot pepper or the Duo of Green Peppers sauce for a balanced and mildly spiced flavour combination. You can also experiment with bolder recipes using our Khmer Roots sauce, which combines galangal, turmeric, and ginger for an Asian twist.

Spiced, caffeine-free, and hydrating drinks to start your day

Finally, for those seeking an alternative to coffee without compromising on morning flavours, infusions and herbal teas are an excellent choice for rehydration and offering benefits from the moment you wake up.

Herbal teas like our Morning Wake-Up Tea, made with Turmeric and Ginger, or the Floral Glow Tea with dried Cambodian flowers and Galangal, are revitalising and hydrating alternatives. Infuse them in a large carafe and enjoy throughout the day for optimal hydration. Moreover, infusions rich in herbs and spices like ginger and lemongrass help stimulate digestion, soothe the digestive system, and boost immunity.

Try our original recipe for Tropical Delight Tea Jelly, an innovative way to enjoy the benefits of herbal teas in a different and delicious form.

These hearty and flavourful breakfasts show how spices can transform simple dishes into energising and healthy meals, perfect for starting your day right.