Breakfast may be the first meal of the day, but around the world, it tells remarkably different stories. In some countries, mornings begin with steaming bowls of soup, while others favour flaky pastries, rice, cured fish, or hearty bean dishes. Climate, culture, agriculture and centuries of tradition have shaped breakfast tables in fascinating ways, proving that there is no universal definition of a “proper” morning meal. Here’s a look at 12 breakfasts that couldn’t be more different from one another.