When in Italy, indulging in ice cream is an essential part of the culinary experience. Italian gelato is renowned for its smooth and creamy texture, vibrant flavors, and the use of high-quality, natural ingredients. As you stroll along the streets of Rome, Florence, or Venice, you’ll come across countless ice cream parlors, each offering an array of delectable flavors. But with so many options available, knowing how to order ice cream in Italy can be a bit daunting for visitors. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the popular ways to order ice cream in Italy, including the cone, cup, and brioche, as well as the difference between sherbet and cream flavors. Plus, we’ll delve into the delightful addition of whipped cream to elevate your gelato experience to new heights.
Cone or Cup?
The first thing you are requested to choose is if you prefer your ice cream in a cone or a little cup. In fact, the vendor will ask: Cono o Coppetta?
The cono, or cone, is a classic and popular way to enjoy gelato in Italy. When ordering a cone, you’ll be presented with a choice of various cone types, including the traditional wafer cone or a waffle cone. Some cones are covered partially or totally with chocolate and others are gluten-free.
If you prefer a mess-free option, the coppetta, or little cup, is the way to go. Similar to the cone, you can choose from a delightful selection of gelato flavors and can even mix and match to create your dream combination. The cup is also an excellent choice for children who generally struggle to eat ice cream as it can melt too quickly. Especially on hot summer days!
The size
After picking a cone or cup, you have to decide the size. Unlike other countries, where cones differ from the number of balls you put on, here we have sizes: small, medium, and big. Or: piccolo, medio and grande in Italian. Then, it is up to you to have one or more flavors. The quantity of ice cream will always be the same. In other words, you might have a medium ice cream with only one flavor or 2/3 or even more. The difference is that the more flavors you pick, the less quantity of each taste you will get.
But you also have the brioche option
In certain regions of Italy, particularly in Sicily, gelato enthusiasts opt for a unique and delectable way of enjoying their frozen treat – the brioche. This delightful pairing involves sandwiching a generous scoop of gelato between a fresh, sweet brioche bun. The combination of creamy gelato and the slightly sweet brioche creates a heavenly taste experience that is sure to delight your taste buds.
The Sicilian brioche is called tuppo, which comes from tappo, bottle cap in English. But croissant is also a popular option.
And finally the ice cream: crema or frutta?
After selecting the cone, it’s time to pick your gelato flavors. Now it is time to choose if you want a fruit-based flavor (prepared with milk, so generally lactose-free, or a creamy one prepared with milk. What I generally do is choose a creamy flavor, generally dark chocolate, and fruit. Or, when I need extra TLC, I opt for creamy flavors.
One thing can never change: chocolate is the bottom flavor as it shall remain the last I eat. So, if I notice the vendor is putting other flavors first, I kindly ask him to change and give chocolate priority. Some argue that they need to put other flavors at the bottom as the chocolate is too soft. Sorry, but I do not accept that as an answer! I’m an ice cream freak, so my ice cream, is my choice! 😉 Lol
The most famous flavors
I think we can divide flavors into 3 or 4 groups.
Traditional fruit: strawberry, lemon, banana, blueberry, or pear (I have never seen apple).
Exotic or seasonal fruit: mango, kiwi, melon, pineapple.
Traditional creams: dark and milk chocolate, cream, stracciatella (cream with chocolate chips), nougat, hazelnut, tiramisu, variegato (which means with the addition of Nutella, cookies, famous snacks).
Extravagant flavors: sometimes you hear in the news that someone has proposed salty flavors or ice cream prepared with parmesan cheese, basil, tomatoes… I have never tried such weird proposals. Although unusual, you might find those flavors too.
The best ice cream comes with whipped cream
To take your gelato indulgence to the next level, don’t forget to ask for a dollop of whipped cream on top of your chosen flavors. In Italian, we call it panna montata.
The light and airy texture of whipped cream complements the creamy gelato, adding a touch of decadence to every bite. It’s a small addition that can make a significant difference, especially for those with a penchant for luxurious dessert experiences. Most of the time, you pay an additional 50 cents for the whipped cream. The best one is thick and super creamy, not fluffy as that of fast food. So, when it is good is worth the money!
In some parts of South Italy, you can also ask for whipped cream inside the cone. You just ask for panna sopra e sotto (whipped cream on top and in the cone). No need to say this is the truest paradise for ice cream lovers!
To conclude
Ordering ice cream in Italy is an art in itself, and with this guide, you’re now well-equipped to navigate the world of gelato choices. Whether you prefer the classic cono, the fuss-free coppetta, or the indulgent brioche, each option promises a delightful experience. And don’t forget to explore the variety of sherbet and cream flavors, as well as the addition of whipped cream, to enhance the already incredible taste of Italian gelato. So, next time you find yourself in Italy, embrace the ice cream culture and savor the creamy goodness that defines this beloved frozen treat.
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