What Is gelamento?
gelamento is an exciting new dessert experience. It’s creamy, rich gelato combined with sorbetto in the same container. The layers melt into each other, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in your mouth with each bite.
To make gelamento artisanal gelato and sorbetto makers layer Dolcezza gelato and fruity sorbets, one on top of the other, in the same pan. As the gelato and sorbetto sit together, they slowly blend and melt into each other, marrying the flavors. By the time you dig in, each spoonful contains a perfect balance of the creamy gelato and refreshing sorbet.
Some of the innovative flavor pairings include:
- Dark chocolate gelato + blood orange sorbetto: Rich, decadent chocolate melted into bright citrus
- Salted caramel gelato + mango sorbetto: Sweet and salty mixes with tropical fruit
- Pistachio gelato + strawberry sorbetto: Nutty pistachio complements fresh berry
The possibilities are endless. gelamento brings together the best of both worlds – gelato and sorbetto. It’s a revolutionary way to experience these frozen treats. Once you try the alchemy of flavors in gelamento, regular gelato or sorbetto just won’t satisfy your craving.
gelamento is available at select Dolcezza gelaterias and Italian restaurants. If you’re looking for an exciting new dessert that’s perfect for sharing, give gelamento a try. You’ll be amazed at how two classic frozen desserts can create something entirely new and unforgettable.
The Origins of gelamento in Sicily
gelamento has been a Sicilian tradition for over 100 years. ###
The origins of gelamento, Sicily’s unique frozen dessert, date back to the early 1900s. As the story goes, a chef in Palermo was making a batch of lemon granita – shaved ice flavored with lemon juice – when he accidentally added too much sugar, turning it into a slushy frozen treat. His customers loved it, and gelamento was born.
gelamento comes from the Italian verb “gelare” meaning “to freeze”. Unlike regular ice cream that’s churned, gelamento has a slushy, crystalline texture from being frozen and then shaved or scraped. The ingredients are simple – fruit, sugar, and water – but the variations are endless. From coffee to pistachio, almond to jasmine, there seems to be a flavor for every taste.
Some of the most popular gelamentos are:
•Lemone – tart lemon juice, sugar and water
•Caffe – espresso coffee, sugar and water
•Mandorla – almond extract, sugar and water
•Fragola – fresh strawberries, sugar and water
•Cioccolato – chocolate, sugar and water
Whether enjoying a cone while strolling down a sunny street or topping it with brioche bread, gelamento is meant to be savored. If you find yourself in Sicily, do as the locals do – choose your favorite flavor and experience the magic of gelamento. Buon appetito!
How gelamento Is Made
gelamento is an artisanal gelato made through a special slow-churning process. To create this decadent treat, gelato makers use only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients.
Selecting the Ingredients
The first step is choosing seasonal fruits, nuts, and other mix-ins. gelamento makers visit local farms to hand-select the ripest berries, most fragrant citrus, and creamiest dairy. They may also use fair trade chocolate, organic extracts, or other specialty ingredients to create unique flavor profiles.
Mixing the Base
Next, they make the gelato base using milk, cream, sugar, and sometimes egg yolks. They carefully heat and stir the ingredients until dissolved and cooled. The base provides the creamy texture for the gelato. For fruit gelatos, the fruit puree is folded into the base. Chocolate and nut gelatos require chopping and mixing in the add-ins.
The Churning Process
Then the magic happens. The gelato base is poured into a special chilled gelato maker, called a mantecatore. Motorized paddles spin and churn the base very slowly while it’s cooled. This allows tiny ice crystals to form, giving gelamento its characteristic dense, creamy texture. The churning process can take 20-40 minutes for gelamento, much slower than regular ice cream.
Hardening and Serving
Once churned, the gelato is transferred to a blast chiller, where its temperature quickly drops to around -20°F to harden. It’s then ready to be served in cups or cones, topped with sauces, candies or fresh fruit. The low-air, high-butterfat gelamento has an intensely creamy mouthfeel and retains perfectly the flavors of the freshest ingredients. No wonder gelamento has been called “the food of the gods”! Its slow, artisanal production and high-quality ingredients create a dessert experience like no other.
The Best gelamento Flavors to Try
gelamento comes in a variety of delicious flavors, but a few stand out as must-tries. Here are some of the best gelamento flavors to discover:
Chocolate Hazelnut
A chocolate lover’s dream. Rich chocolate gelato swirled with Nutella hazelnut spread. The nutty, chocolatey combination is simply irresistible. For an extra special treat, top it with crushed hazelnuts.
Pistachio
Pistachio gelato has a creamy texture and natural pistachio flavor. Made from real pistachios, it has notes of almond and a slight bitterness. Pistachio is a classic Italian gelato flavor that will transport you straight to Sicily with every bite.
Salted Caramel
The perfect blend of sweet and salty. Homemade caramel is folded into creamy gelato base and sprinkled with sea salt flakes. The salt enhances all the flavors and cuts through the richness. Salted caramel gelato is a flavor explosion in your mouth that you won’t soon forget.
Strawberry Balsamic
An intriguing mix of sweet strawberries and tangy balsamic vinegar. Fresh strawberries are steeped in aged balsamic vinegar to impart an amazing flavor to the gelato base. Topped with more fresh strawberries and a drizzle of the vinegar. Tart, sweet and utterly unique. This innovative flavor combination is a must for any adventurous gelato lover.
Mint Chip
Refreshing mint gelato studded with chocolate chips. Made from fresh mint leaves, this gelato has an authentic minty flavor and cool aftertaste. The mini chocolate chips provide little bursts of chocolatey goodness with each bite. A perfect palate cleanser on a hot summer day.
gelamento has so many wonderful and creative flavors to offer. Start with these five addictive flavors and you’ll soon be an aficionado, ready to sample the entire menu! What delightful discovery awaits you next?
Where to Find the Best gelamento in the US
If you want to experience the finest gelamento, you’ll have to visit some of the top gelaterias in the United States. These artisanal shops are creating innovative flavors and high-quality gelato that rival what you’ll find in Italy.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
With locations throughout the Midwest, South, and East Coast, Jeni’s is a must-visit. They source the freshest local ingredients to create unique flavors like Brambleberry Crisp, made from blackberries, raspberries and oats, or their signature Wildberry Lavender. Their gelato is dense, creamy and full of flavor. For an extra special treat, try their gelato sandwiches or affogatos.
Gelato Bar
This hip spot in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood serves up both classic and creative gelato flavors. Their menu changes seasonally based on what’s fresh, but past highlights have included blood orange olive oil, salted peanut butter, and strawberry balsamic. They also offer dairy-free sorbets, espresso, and pastries. With its stylish décor and rotating art exhibits, the Gelato Bar is an ideal date spot or place to catch up with friends.
Fosselman’s Ice Cream Company
For over 95 years, Fosselman’s in Southern California has been making top-notch ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet and gelato. They now have six locations featuring 18 rotating gelato flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, and their popular malted milk chocolate chip. Their gelato is rich, intensely flavored and creamy. It’s no wonder Fosselman’s has been a Los Angeles institution for nearly a century.
Amy’s Ice Creams
Since opening in Austin, Texas in 1984, Amy’s Ice Creams has developed a passionate following for their high-quality gelato and ice cream. They now have over 20 locations throughout Texas, as well as some seasonal pop-ups in other states. Amy’s is known for signature flavors like Mexican vanilla, chocolate, coffee and mint, as well as rotating flavors like honey lavender or strawberry hibiscus. For the full Amy’s experience, order one of their “kitchen sink” creations topped with mix-ins, sauces and candies.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the inside scoop on gelamento and why it should be your new favorite summer treat. Gelato and sorbetto come together in perfect harmony to create this Italian delicacy that dazzles your taste buds with intense flavors and a creamy yet light texture. Now that you know all about the history, ingredients, and techniques behind gelamento, you’ll be an expert in no time and ready to embark on your own gelamento adventure. All that’s left to do is find an authentic Italian gelateria, order your favorite flavor combo, grab a seat outside, and prepare to be transported to gelato heaven. The magic of gelamento awaits! What are you waiting for? Go discover it for yourself.
