What’s there to think about when it comes to enjoying Italian gelato on a hot summer day while traipsing through the bel paese on vacation? Well as it turns out, there are a few tips to consider if you want to savor every drop of this sweet Italian experience.
- Avoid gelaterias where the bins are piled high with gelato. That may be an indication that the gelato is not melting due to additives and emulsifiers. Similarly, it might be whipped with air to make it look more plentiful. Italians consider this criterion in distinguishing between “fake” versus “authentic” gelato.
- Avoid gelato that is brightly colored, most often indicating artificial dyes.
- Ask the locals where they consider to be the best local gelateria. In the heart of Firenze, for example, most every local we spoke to recommended Gelateria la Carraia. They definitely didn’t mislead us!
- Try a new flavor that you wouldn’t commonly find back home. This is part of the experience of absorbing the culture—and what a pleasant way to do it! Stracciatella, for example, is nothing like the chocolate chip (or chunk) ice cream you would get in the U.S. The chocolate churned throughout is more subtle and refined. Pistachio is also one of Italy’s go-to favorites, but it is not the fluorescent green that glows in the dark, but rather the natural color (and flavor) of the actual nut.
- Savor your gelato and as you savor the moment. Find a park bench, a staircase or wall along a public square, or look out over the banks of the Arno River and simple observe the life that surrounds you.
The Italian gelato experience can transport you if you are mindful of every aspect of the glorious culture you are blessed to be part of in the moment. If you are planning to visit Italy this summer, don’t miss my latest article for L’Idea Magazine on 12 Ways to Enjoy Italy Amidst the Explosion of Tourism.
The Dolce Vita Lifestyle 