Why eat gelato? It’s part of the Italian way of life, Gelato is a frozen Italian dessert similar to Ice cream.
I can think of many reasons to eat gelato but the best reason is because it tastes great! Eating gelato is one of the most basic joys of travel in Italy. People travel thousands of miles to eat gelato, after all.
In case you don’t know what gelato is (is that possible?) let me enlighten you. Gelato means frozen, in Italian. So gelato is basically any frozen dessert. But for most people, gelato is Italian ice cream.
Not all ice cream is created equal, however, and there are some key differences between gelato and American-style ice cream.
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Everything You Need To Know
Gelato is only 2 -10 percent fat, whereas ice cream can be as much as 18 – 30 percent fat. It’s low in fat and high in calcium, protein, and B vitamins! This means that gelato is actually good for you!
Another important difference between the two, gelato contains less air than ice cream, thereby making the flavor much more intense. You will feel satisfied with eating a little, instead of a lot. I’m speculating, but try to work with me. Less air also means it doesn’t have to be served brain-numbing cold like ice cream, which accounts for the creamier texture and for the more dense flavors.
I have yet to find gelato in the U.S. that compares with gelato in Italy (until now, so keep reading). Hence, when in Italy, I allow myself to dive into this creamier, softer, more richly flavored frozen dessert with abandon. I’ve eaten gelato for lunch, dinner, and in between meals.
Gelato Flavors
My crush on gelato began in Sorrento. This region of Italy is known for producing huge lemons with a very fragrant skin, which is used to make lemon sorbetto. Sorbetto is made without dairy, so it’s lighter and contains even less fat than gelato. I’ll never forget my first lemon sorbetto because I would have sworn it was a light and creamy ice cream. How do they do it?
In Rome, I had lemon sorbetto served inside one of those huge lemons from Sorrento. They scoop out the inside and fill it with delicious lemony goodness, then freeze it. Heavenly. A friend in Naples thinks this is gimmicky but I love the presentation. I’ve had this version in a few other places in Italy, as well. When I see it on the menu I always order it. I’m a bit obsessive that way. Once I find something I like, I just keep going back for more.
After a few trips to Italy I became more adventurous and began to try other traditional flavors: chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, strawberry, and coconut. There are endless flavor options for gelato, these are only a few.
Vanilla Gelateria
At Vanilla Gelateria in Milan I tried coconut and watermelon; each spoonful was like biting into a piece of fresh fruit. I really had no idea where to go in Milan to find the best gelato. I just decided that the long line outside the door was a good sign. Vanilla has been in business since the 1950s. They use only seasonal ingredients from around Italy. I also liked Vanilla because they had some pretty tables outside where you could sit and rest your weary feet. Many gelaterias are strictly take away.
Fatamorgana
During my last trip to Rome I discovered Fatamorgana Gelateria and it became an obsession. I went crazy and tried several avant-garde flavors: ricotta with citrus, vanilla rice, Madagascar chocolate, blueberry chocolate, and even balsamic and basil. The flavors were all pure and fresh, but my favorite was the almond orange. It had small bits of ground nuts in it and managed to be rich and refreshing all at the same time.
Fatamorgana has two locations, one in Trastevere, and one near Piazza del Popolo.
Pistachio ice cream was always a favorite of mine. Since eating pistachio gelato, I don’t even order ice cream anymore. Pistachio gelato is like popping a handful of freshly shelled nuts into your mouth all at once. With each bite you get a burst of fresh creamy, nutty flavor. Pistachio ice cream is sort of a pale minty green color and often doesn’t even have any nuts in it. Pistachio gelato is a green-brown color, with plenty of finely crushed nuts in it. It makes me wonder what I was eating before – was it food?
How can you tell if it’s real gelato?
Gelato is made with all natural, seasonal ingredients most of the time. If you’re not certain you’re getting the real deal, look for signs that say gelato naturale or gelato artigianale.
Eating good food, and good gelato, is simply part of Italian culture – just as taking an evening stroll with family, friends, and neighbors (passeggiata). It’s a social event, and one not to be missed. As far as I know, it’s not duplicated anywhere else in the world. I don’t know if ALL Italians eat gelato, but when I’ve been out for la passeggiata, it sure seems as if everyone I see is eating gelato. When in Rome…
How far will you travel for gelato?
You don’t have to travel all the way to Italy for great gelato now!
In my opinion, Botolino Gelateria is the best gelato in Dallas, Texas.
Here’s the scoop…
Carlo Gattini opened his first Gelateria Botolino, on lower Greenville, and recently opened at Preston Royal Village. His gelato is the real deal. You can even see the original molds his nonna used (grandmother) to make gelato in Italy.
You may see Carlo working in “the lab.,” as all the gelato is made on site. I love the unusual flavors like Egyptian Rose and Black Sesame which change frequently, but traditional flavors like Pistachio, Gianduia, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, and Mascarpone Fig, are always available. Bonus: there are plenty of sorbetto flavors to choose from and they are all dairy-free.
The Egyptian Rose really tasted like rose water. While that may sound strange I assure you, it wasn’t. Somehow the flavor is infused into the milk cream. I don’t know how he does it, I simply enjoy it. The Black Sesame reminded me of a small sesame and honey candy I used to eat as a kid – savory and sweet. If you like tahini, you’ll love this.
Since we can’t go to Italy now, let’s go to Botolino!
For more great places to eat gelato in Italy read Hungry? Top Gelato Spots in Lombardia
