At first glance, it might seem like the folks in Italy have been playing Nintendo for the past year, as they’ve just released a new ice cream flavor with the world-famous ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ on the packaging. However, this is much more than a case of consumer familiarity breeding brand loyalty. If there’s one country that understands the importance of innovation and creating new flavors to drive consumer interest, it’s Italy.
Last year, they launched a line of gelato flavors specifically designed to mimic famous video game characters. In fact, it’s been such a success that they’ve since followed up with flavors based on popular TV shows and movies, as well as created a line of chocolate-based gels that are supposed to look like Pacman’s ‘ghost’ (minus the transparent covering of course).
Gelato makers around the world have taken notice of the extraordinary versatility of Italian ice cream. The country that brought us the espresso blended with chocolate and the Amarena cherry, is now putting the fun in functional.
It’s about time the world learned a little bit more about gelato, a delicious ice cream-like treat that’s been around since the 1800s. Here are five reasons why you should try out gelato soon.
It Has A Rich History
Traditionally, Italian gelato is made with cream and milk that’s been thickened with gelatin or starch. This gives it a smooth, unctuous texture that’s not exactly the same as the sharp edges of an American ice cream. Think of Baskin Robbins and Ben and Jerry’s, which are both owned by Unilever. Gelato was originally used as a base for a sorbetto, which is a dessert that mixes ice cream and fruit.
This is interesting because not only does gelato have a rich history, but Unilever’s purchase of Baskin Robbins and Ben and Jerry’s shows how important it is to them as a brand. This is also why they launched the Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Break in Starbucks stores, which is essentially a small ice cream parlor. It’s all about the marketing and creating an experience that builds brand loyalty.
It’s A Nutritional Nightmare
Yes, we’ve all heard of the perils of ice cream, especially when it comes to those who are on a diet. However, the average serving size of gelato in Italy is 55 grams, which is a fairly large amount. If you compare that to the average American ice cream serving size of 30 grams, you can see why this could be a major issue. Of course, it’s also important to keep in mind that Americans also eat much more ice cream than the Italians do. However, even as a percentage, Americans eat a lot more than the average European. This makes sense, as we consume far more artificial sweeteners and calories in general than the Italians do.
In short, trying to find a diet plan that works for you when you’re traveling in Italy might not be as easy as you think. Of course, it would be best to avoid over-consumption entirely, which many people do. Even so, the health implications of a large serving of ice cream are there, especially if you’re traveling in Italy and are trying to stick to a diet.
It Has A High Alcohol Content
Alcohol has always been associated with culinary adventures. However, it’s become apparent that some people are trying to tone down on their alcohol intake and some are even turning to alternative cooking methods like veganism to accommodate their alcohol bans. Luckily, gelato is a dessert that doesn’t rely on any alcohol as a sauce component, so it’s still totally acceptable to indulge.
In fact, the alcohol in gelato provides a subtle but discernible flavor that some people say adds a touch of sophistication to the dessert. The alcohol content in gelato ranges from 0.8 to 1.2 percent, which is more than enough to provide a nice alcohol flavor without the digestive repercussions that some other desserts might bring. These are all reasons why you might want to try out gelato, regardless of whether or not you drink.
It’s A Cold Weather Delight
Yes, gelato is more than acceptable during the warmer months, but it is also important to remember that not all ice cream is created equal. Some people like their ice cream cold while others prefer it hot. It really depends on the person eating it. On that note, some people enjoy gelato even when it’s hot out, which might explain why it’s so popular in Italy during the summertime. It doesn’t get too hot there, which is great for any dessert.
It’s important to keep in mind the temperatures at which gelato is prepared. The easiest way to do this is to think of the French term ‘froid’ or ‘frizzante’, which means ‘chilled’ or ‘cooled’ respectively. This is because when you make gelato at home or in a food processor, you can control the temperature of the mixture very easily by using ice cream making machines, which are very effective at chilling large quantities of milk and cream. This is why the majority of gelato is found in households and restaurants in Europe, as it is usually made using home appliances.
It Has An Unusual Flavor Combination
Most ice cream is made with simple flavors like vanilla or chocolate that are well-known and traditional. However, gelato makers around the world have been taking advantage of new flavor combinations that they’ve learned about through trial and error. This has led to unique creations like Thai ice cream and even gourmet versions of popular soft drinks like Coca Cola and Pepsi.
These flavor combinations are not something that you’ll find easily packaged in a typical ice cream parlor, as most owners would never think of trying something new. However, as globalization has continued to break down geographic barriers, it’s become more acceptable for chefs and restaurants to experiment with new flavor combinations. This has made it easier for people to discover new tastes, as well as keep those they love. Of course, this also means there are abundant opportunities to create unique flavors, as long as you have the imagination and courage to do so.
It’s A Vehicle For Carpe Diem
This point couldn’t be stressed enough. As we’ve established, some people like cool textures and temperatures while others prefer creamier, more homogeneous textures and warm temperatures. These are all matters of personal preference, but it is still relevant to acknowledge that not all consumers respond well to all products. This goes for everything from ice cream to cars to shoes. There are several reasons why carpe diem is important in this context, but the main reason is that you should eat what you want when you want it.
If you show up at a restaurant at 3 p.m. and they don’t have any gelato left, you’re going to be pretty upset. Even if you’re not a professional chef, you should still be able to recognize the difference between ‘made to order’ and ‘pre-made’. If the former is what you want, then great; however, if the latter is what you get, then you might be disappointed. This is why restaurants that serve pre-made desserts, usually have a line around the block during the hottest month of the year, while others remain popular even when they don’t offer a single item that you could specifically order. This is also why, when you do find yourself in Italy, you should always order gelato ‘froid’ or ‘frizzante’ when you sit down at a restaurant. Otherwise, you might end up with an icy hot beverage that has been sitting in a warm liquid pool for far too long.
Gelato might not be for everybody, as it is certainly a more involved process than simply buying a bag of an American ice cream. Still, the versatility of this dessert cannot be denied. It is probably the ultimate culinary creation that embodies all that is chic, artistic and modern. What more could you want from a dessert?