Brunch - a portmanteau of the words breakfast and lunch - is a meal served between the two, often at weddings or sporting events. Because of the time of the meal, it is often regarded as a good time to meet friends, especially for those enjoying a lazy Sunday lie in.
The term is thought to have originated in North America before coming to Britain at the end of the 19th century where it was picked up by students; however, the idea is thought to have originated in China. Dim sum - a collection of small treats, traditionally a variety of stuffed buns and dumplings and an assortment of other savoury, as well as sweet, items that are cooked in numerous way - is served from 6.30am until mid-afternoon in the Far East.
It is thought that Chinese settlers took the idea of one large meal mid-morning to America in the early 1800s and this fits in with the history of the word 'brunch'.
The meal has now proved popular the world over - both at special events and as a social gathering - with some restaurants and hotels earning a reputation as brunch specialists.
Like with many other trends, Dubai as a city has taken brunching to its heart and really elaborated on it. Visitors to Dubai are encouraged to sample local brunch culture and many residents often take guests out to enjoy the local cuisine. Hotels such as the Mina A'Salam are renowned for their brunches, serving traditional British dishes such as omelettes as well as more bizarre meal accompaniments such as candy floss.
Residents of the United Arab Emirates recommend eating brunch outdoors to fully enjoy the meal and this means you have to plan to eat early enough to avoid the sweltering heat. Be warned that brunching is often akin to feasting in Dubai - especially in the last few years with many venues offering 'all you can eat and drink' deals - so after lounging around banqueting, visitors may need to have a lazy afternoon to fully process the experience. The large size of the meal is often matched by the magnitude of the bill, but the care put into the meal is often worth it.
From its humble origins in Eastern Asian, brunch has grown to be a worldwide phenomenon. The word 'brunch' has been adopted by French and German speakers, despite both languages having their own phrase or word for the meal - le grand petit dejeuner ("the big breakfast" or, more literally, "the big little lunch") and Gabelfruhstuck (literally "fork breakfast").
Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.