First of all, what is gelato? How is it different than ice cream? To sum it up, gelato has more milk than ice cream does, it is stored at a different temperature, and has a smoother, more creamy texture. It’s like ice cream’s better, more interesting half. Italy has perfected many things but their version of ice cream is arguably what they do best.
If you are worried that you won’t be able to find your signature ice cream flavor in gelato form, have no fear. Take this quiz to find out what ice cream flavor you feel the most connected to,. This gelato guide will help you figure out what you’ll love and (probably) prefer to your favorite ice cream.
If you like chocolate ice cream, then you’ll love Nutella gelato
Photo by Emily Palmer
Nutella gelato has a more complex flavor than regular chocolate because of the addition of hazelnut. After eating Nutella gelato, chocolate ice cream will always taste like it is missing something. Plus, there is something amazingly European about combing Nutella and gelato that American ice cream flavors cannot match.
Heads up: don’t eat the gelato that is piled high behind the glass. It looks nice in pictures but is full of air and preservatives. The best gelato places keep the good stuff in covered containers to maintain temperature and freshness.
If you like vanilla ice cream, then you’ll love crema gelato
Photo by Emily Palmer
Crema is a good alternative to vanilla because it is more refreshing and has subtle, nuanced flavors. It tastes more like milk than vanilla even though it is vanilla-esque. Crema is like the frozen version of sweetened condensed milk without leaving that weird too-sweet taste in your mouth. It’s the perfect simple and sweet dessert.
If you like strawberry ice cream, then you’ll love frutti di bosco gelato
Photo by Emily Palmer
Strawberry gelato is also a great choice but Frutti di Bosco (translates literally to fruits from forest) knocks plain strawberry out of the water. The exotic sounding gelato is a mix of different berries such as raspberries, strawberries, blueberries. The combination of fruits leads to a refreshing and tangy flavor bomb. And technically you’re eating fruit so it’s not that unhealthy, right?
If you love coffee ice cream, then you’ll love hazelnut (Nocciola) Gelato
Photo by Emily Palmer
Even coffee lovers know there is such a thing as too much coffee so when you can’t handle any more, try hazelnut gelato. It tastes similar to coffee but has a nuttier, almost savory taste. The flavors are deep and complex, making you wonder what you are tasting, in a good way.
If you love cookie dough ice cream, then you’ll love tiramisu gelato
Photo by Elena Conte
Cookie dough gelato would be phenomenal, but it is impossible to find. So when a strong raw dough craving hits, reach for tiramisu gelato for a pseudo fix. Both have chewy pieces mixed in and are two desserts in one. Combining a dessert with another dessert is a genius idea, so ordering tiramisu gelato is a no-brainer.
Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made of lady fingers, a pudding-like substance, and coffee. It literally means “pick me up” and it does just that. No matter what you are feeling, tiramisu (in gelato form or otherwise) will grace you with a caffeine sustained sugar high and raise your spirits.
If you love chocolate chip ice cream, then you’ll love stracciatella gelato
Photo by Emily Palmer
Stracciatella is essentially chocolate chip ice cream but because it is gelato, it’s automatically better than American chocolate chip. It is less sweet than its often-cloying ice cream counterpart. But because it is so similar, it is a good way to ease into the gelato pool, especially for less adventurous eaters.
Ice cream might be the obvious dessert choice in America but once you’ve tried gelato, there is no going back.
Want more advice on some sweet treats?