I love me some gelato - it’s similar to ice cream, but so much better (IMHO)!!
You can enjoy it while taking an evening stroll ("passeggiata") or find a sunny bench in the piazza to sit and take in all the sights around you.
Every town in Italy has at least one gelateria and experiencing this heavenly frozen treat is an authentic Italian tradition that’s a must do for any visitor. But, ordering gelato can be a bit intimidating for a first timer - or even if it's just been a while since you've done it - so here are three easy steps for you to follow to make you feel like a pro!
1. Check out the quality of the gelato first. Keep in mind that natural flavorings will produce natural colors so you’ll want to look for less vibrant, more muted color tones. For example, banana should be a pale yellow not neon yellow. Also, fake gelato that’s puffed up with a lot of artificial powders will generally be piled high and covered in fancy decoration whereas the real stuff will usually be kept level with the metal container it’s in (to keep it at the right temperature) and be more simple in appearance overall.
2. In most gelato shops in Italy, you’ll need to pay the cashier before you actually order the specific flavors ("gusti") you’d like – you just need to know the size and container ("una coppa" = a cup, "un cono" = a cone) you want at this point. Be sure to keep the receipt that the cashier gives you as you’ll need to show it to the server when you order (these are often two different people).
3. You’ll need to be assertive (yet still try to be reasonably patient) to get the server’s attention as customers tend to just crowd around versus forming a single file line. It’s ok to ask for a taste, but try to avoid doing this if the shop is particularly busy - and you’ll want to limit it to just one or two regardless. Once you know which flavors you’d like, you can hand your receipt to the server and order away!
INSIDER TIP: If the server seems especially friendly, ask for his/her recommendation for combinations to try – you might be surprised by how lovely some unexpected combos can be : )
BONUS, here's a list of some common flavors you'll likely see:
Chocolate
Cioccolato fondente: dark chocolate
Cioccolato al latte: milk chocolate
Cioccolato con peperoncino: hot pepper-infused chocolate
Cioccolato all’Azteca: spicy Mexican chocolate with cinnamon
Bacio: dark chocolate and hazelnut
Gianduia or gianduja: milk chocolate and hazelnut
Nut
Pistachio: pistachio
Mandorla: almond
Nocciola: hazelnut
Castagna: chestnut
Cream
Fior di latte: sweet cream
Zabaglione or zabaione: custardy flavor sweetened with Marsala wine
Cocco: coconut
Caffe: expresso
Stracciatella: vanilla with drizzled, hardened chocolate
Panna cotta: cooked cream
Cassata: cream base with chocolate and dried fruit
Amarena: cream base with sour cherry sauce
Fruit
Fragola: strawberry
Lampone: raspberry
Limone: lemon
Banana: banana
Frutti di bosco: mixed berries
Fico: fig
Mela: apple
Pesca: peach
Ananas: pineapple
NOTE: you might be asked if you want your gelato “con panna” which means with a dollop of whipped cream.
Heading to Italy soon? Be sure to ask me to share my favorite gelaterias for you to try like Gelateria Vivoli in Florence, which is known for having over 100 flavors!
CLICK HERE to start planning your next vacation!
Related blog posts:
What To Do in Rome Italy
Jodi Schlichting
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