Italian food, known for it’s flavor-filled taste, has been influential to culinary preparation across the globe, especially in the United States. Their secret? Rather than covering up the taste of the food with copious amounts of seasonings, they rely on fresh ingredients, often only between 2-4 per dish. The same can be said for their desserts. Gelato, the Italian form of ice cream, is derived from the Latin word “gelare”, which literally means “to freeze”, is much different than ordinary ice cream. Gelato contains much less fat, and the ingredients are combined at much lower speeds, resulting in a denser mixture than ice cream. Gelato is made in small batches and frozen quickly, but at a warmer freezing temperature than ice cream, and the result? A much fresher, flavorful dessert.

HISTORY OF GELATO | WHY IS GELATO SO POPULAR?

Credit for the creation of this tasty dessert goes to Bernardo Buontaleti, a Florence native, during the Italian Renaissance. In 1686, Francesco Procopio was among the first to sell it to the public, at his establishment, Café Procope, in France. In 1770, Giovanni Basiolo introduced it to New York, and its popularity has spread worldwide ever since.

But why is this dessert still so popular hundreds of years later? First, because it is delicious. Made fresh daily, gelato is available in countless flavors, a few of the most popular include; nocciola (hazelnut), mandoria (almond), lampone (raspberry), and fregola (strawberry). Secondly, it is convenient. Gelato is easy to find throughout Italy, whether at a street vendor, in the squares (piazzas), or at a gelateria. Italians often enjoy this famous dessert while taking an after-dinner stroll, especially during the hot days of summer. Americans visiting Italy enjoy gelato any time of day, or any season for that matter, as genuine Italian gelato is irresistible, especially when compared to American ice cream. And who needs an excuse to indulge in a healthy dessert? No one!

HOW TO MAKE GELATO | INGREDIENTS

Wondering how to make gelato, and what ingredients are involved? To make a simple gelato that you can add to, make sure to follow the steps below to know how to make gelato at home.

2 cups of Milk
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
1 vanilla pods
Any additional flavors (example; cocoa, hazelnuts, strawberry)

HOW TO MAKE GELATO | STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Depending on your flavor, there are several other ingredients that you can add to the recipe such as; cocoa, hazelnuts, strawberries, raspberries, and zests from fruits such as limes, lemons, and oranges, just to name a few so feel free to add these in. Once all the ingredients are gathered, learning how to make gelato involves a series of specific steps.

Step 1: Bring the milk, half of the sugar, and vanilla pod nearly to a boil.
Step 2: Let it cool.
Step 3: Combine egg yolks in a mixer with the other half of the sugar and blend until creamy.
Step 4: Lower mixer speed and add cooled milk mixture (remove vanilla pod at this point) and mix well.
Step 5: Place in saucepan, and gently heat until thickened into a thin custard, thick enough to barely coat a spoon.
Step 6: Pour it into a bowl, and chill in the fridge for approximately one hour.
Step 7: Place the batter into an gelato machine and churn for 20 to 30 minutes, then freeze again for about an hour.
Step 8: Remove from freezer about 15 minutes prior to serving as it should be served firm, not hard.
Step 9: Finally, sit back and enjoy a taste of true Italian gelato!