Visit any ice cream parlor (gelateria) in Italy and you will soon be spoiled for choice. It’s here that you will sample a vast array of Italian gelato flavors!
Be sure to check out these 30 things to know when visiting Italy!
What is gelato?
Gelato is a well-loved iconic Italian frozen dessert created by Bernardo Buontalenti. Things have changed a lot since then, but gelato retains its authentic flavor today.
Entering a foodie heaven like a gelateria, with fancy names and gorgeous colors galore, choosing one item will surely make you dizzy. After tasting many varieties, I can assure you that these selected flavors will delight your tastebuds!
Italian gelato flavors not to be missed
Chocolate Fondente:
Chocolate is the undisputed king of ice cream, and for all those who love this super dark flavored version, it can be easily spotted at all gelaterias by its color. Extra dark varieties are also available at some outlets.
Nocciola Stracciatella:
This vanilla chocolate chip and hazelnut combination is the Italian serving of cookies and cream. Hot fudge is poured on the cold Gelato to harden the chocolate quickly. The hardened fudge is then eaten in bits and pieces like traditional chocolate chips.
Bacio:
Literally meaning “kiss”, just as in one of Hershey’s signature flavors, this one comes from a Perugina Chocolate House in Umbria. The Gelato combination comes in the form of candies made of a mix of chopped hazelnuts and chocolate.
Sette Veli:
Translated as ‘ seven veils’ this special chocolate flavor gets its name from the Biblical story of the dance of the seven veils. Sette veli cake like Gelato,is a mix of light and dark chocolate, hazelnut and crispy biscuits. Though associated more with the Palermo region, it is now found throughout Italy.
Pistachio:
Pistachio is another loved Italian Gelato flavor, and a mainstay in almost every gelateria. This frozen treat, in its original form, is made in a dense mix of pistachio paste, milk, cream, eggs, and sugar. Cheaper replacements are being substituted these days due to the high cost of pistachios. The Sicilian region of Bronte, produces the best quality that go into the making of this wonderful flavor.
Limone:
The clue to successful Gelato al Limone ice cream is the aroma. This refreshing dessert is made of cream, eggs, sugar enriched with lemon juice and milk as a base. The emphasis should not be on the taste of the lemon, but more on the dense and creamy texture. Limone Gelato is usually enjoyed plain but is occasionally garnished with fresh basil or candied peel of lemon.
Your Italian gourmet lesson has not even begun without sinking your teeth in some scrumptious gelato which you can hardly pronounce correctly. Unfortunately many gelato outlets do not serve the real stuff (see below), but the country still abounds in artisans who can still serve handmade natural gelato every day.
Hot tip: When choosing a gelateria, the brightly colored tins of gelato stacked high might catch your eye, but according to an Italian insider, you’ll get the best gelato when you opt for less loft.
Which Italian gelato flavors are YOUR favorite??
