The art and craft of Cultivating a fine food, trade and culture of artisan gelato
Gelato is rich in history
discover A delicious history of gelato
Gelato is a treasured frozen dessert that captures your heart and taste buds, no matter where you are in the world. Vibrant flavors and rich, creamy textures turn into a favorite indulgence, especially on hot summer days. Gelato is often recognized as an Italian sweet treat, but its history goes back thousands of years, to many different cultures and traditions. The gelato journey through time is fascinating and unfolds swirls of rich history.
from ancient ice traders to a modern gelateria
Gelato creations go back to ancient times when ice traders brought snow and ice down mountains into cellars, where wealthy households would buy it for chilled desserts and drinks.
In medieval and Renaissance Italy, an enthusiasm in art and revival inspired unique variations of flavoring snow. The people of Persia, for example, used fruit juices, honey and rose water to make a refreshing treat called “sharbat” and commonly known today as sorbet and sherbert.
In the 17th and 18th century, artisan passion and creative experiments with new and local ingredients like milk, sugar, coffee and chocolate transformed the icy treats into a denser, creamier version of gelato we enjoy in the modern gelateria.
the delicacy & trade of gelato
The popularity of gelato continued to spread throughout Italy and around the world. Highly trained maestros on the 20th century refine their crafts, experimenting with high-quality fresh fruits, nuts and artisanal dairy products. Modern gelaterias, like Dolce Vita, began to appear and the keepers of tradition constantly innovate with new flavors, techniques, and ingredients to serve up the perfect scoop, or two, of the sweetest treats. It is handcrafted daily, and it is delicious!
the culture of enjoying gelato
If you stop into our gelateria, you are never just getting a gelato dessert. You enter into a world of pure joy and happiness. Imagine the experience of sitting in San Gimignano, Italy, where you’re taking in the beauty of the countryside with its florals, green pastures, winding streets and stone architecture, listening to Italian song and savoring a scoop of creamy gelato. That’s amore!
The culture of enjoying gelato is a way of life that is sweet and indulgent, without compromise. Like a gentle reminder to slow down and savor the moments.
Whether sharing a cone with friends or enjoying a solo scoop, these treats always bring the magical experience of a smile and people coming together. In Italy, it’s part of the cultural fabric and is cherished. More than just a dessert, gelato is a symbol of passion, creativity, delight and joy!
gelato compared to ice cream
Not all gelato is created equal, but at Dolce Vita, we value healthier choices. It’s typical for gelato to have a lower fat content than traditional ice cream.
It is churned at a lower speed so there is less air mixed in, making it creamier and smoother. This luxurious texture can also mean it has fewer calories per serving. The serving sizes are smaller than the common bowl or cone of ice cream, yet is fulfilling and suffices tastefully in controlling sugar and calorie gain.
Our gelateria makes only the best, which means we’re using fresh, high-quality, local or imported Italian ingredients. True authentic gelato is made with no preservatives or artificial powders and flavors. It’s made with milk instead of cream resulting in lower cholesterol content, which makes authentic gelato a healthier option than other kinds of ice cream.
Like we said before, it’s more than a sweet treat dessert. At least for Dolce Vita and our loyal customers it is. This is different. Gelato is history, devotion, creativity, delight, healthy benefits, culture and people.
With every lick of creamy, flavorful gelato, you can taste the love and passion that goes into every scoop. It's a dessert that truly nourishes the soul.
oh wow!
“This isn’t just about gelato. This is about the delightful experience of the italian lifestyle.”
— Nick Corso