GOTTA GET GELATO

What I didn’t understand, was the difference between gelato and ice-cream. I don’t remember if nonna gave me real gelato or ice-cream, but I’m sure I didn’t care! I suspect it was real gelato because everything at nonna's house was homemade.

Falling in love with gelato on my first trip to Italy, I now care and know the difference.

No one really knows who actually created gelato. As legends go, Bernado Buontalenti, a Florence native, first presented this delicacy to Caterina Dei Medici’s court in the 16th century.

Gelato recipes have been handed down from generation to generation, tweaked and perfected right up until the present.

The recipes usually contain whole milk and heavy cream, high quality egg yolks, cane sugar, fresh or organic frozen fruits.

No additives or heavy ingredients mask the flavors and the texture is dense, velvety and not so cold, which brings out more of the flavor.

The literal meaning of gelato in Italian means “frozen,” however it is used to indicate the Italian type of ice cream. Less air in gelato means a more intense flavor. Also, containing 70% less fats (meaning less calories) and being made fresh daily, gelato is a healthier product.

When I was in Italy, I had to have gelato at least twice a day. There are so many wonderful flavors, trying them all is almost a must! There is an assortment of chocolate, cream, fruit, and nut flavors. The most unusual flavor, I've heard about is the "Viagra" flavor!

I'm told it’s not made with the actual drug. However, it's made with African herbs that are believed to have the effect of an aphrodisiac. I’ve not tried this one, so I can't tell you what kind of flavor it has. Maybe this should be left up to the male population to let us know!!

Hope you enjoyed this little bit of sweetness!

Remember,

Keep on the Sunnyside!

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