LIFESTYLE
Where is the Best Gelato in the World?
Get your travel rewards credit card ready….
This article will send you directly to the best gelato on the planet. To find the best gelato on the planet, you don’t necessarily need to eat all the gelato in the world in order to arrive at a judgment, because you would explode.
No, the best gelato in the world can be arrived at, not just on foot, but deductively. It’s actually quite easy to find the best gelato in the world, because logically, all you have to do is find the city that has the world’s best gelato, then find the best gelato in that city! Pretty easy logical stuff, no?
First, you need to go to:
Florence
Florence, Italy, holds a prestigious position in the culinary world, particularly renowned as the gelato capital. This recognition is deeply rooted in both historical context and contemporary culinary excellence, making Florence a pivotal point for gelato enthusiasts and food connoisseurs globally.
The story of gelato in Florence is intertwined with the city’s rich historical tapestry. Florence’s claim to gelato fame is often attributed to the innovative spirit of its residents during the Renaissance. It was here that the modern version of gelato is said to have been refined, if not invented.
The Medici family, prominent figures in Florence’s history, played a crucial role in this culinary evolution. They organized a contest seeking the most unusual dish, and it was a Florentine, Bernardo Buontalenti, who presented gelato. Buontalenti’s creation was a sensation, blending ice, fruit, and honey in a creamy mixture that became a precursor to the modern gelato.
This historical backdrop sets the stage for Florence’s enduring legacy in the gelato world. The city’s artisans have passed down centuries-old techniques from generation to generation, ensuring the preservation of traditional methods while also fostering innovation. Florentine gelato makers are celebrated for their commitment to quality, often using locally sourced ingredients and eschewing artificial additives, which results in a product that is rich in flavor and creamy in texture.
Contemporary Florence continues to uphold this illustrious tradition, with gelaterias dotting the cityscape, each boasting its own unique take on the classic treat. These establishments range from historic shops that have served gelato for generations to innovative newcomers pushing the boundaries of flavor and technique.
What sets Florentine gelato apart is not just the quality of the ingredients but also the artisanal craftsmanship that goes into each batch. Gelato makers in Florence are considered culinary artists, blending flavors and textures in a way that pays homage to the past while also embracing the future.
Moreover, the city’s global culinary influence means that trends and innovations in Florentine gelato often resonate worldwide, reinforcing its status as the gelato capital. Food enthusiasts and critics alike look to Florence to see what’s next in the world of gelato, whether it’s a new flavor combination or a groundbreaking method of production.
In essence, Florence’s reputation as the gelato capital of the world is a testament to its historical significance, its commitment to quality and craftsmanship, and its ongoing influence in the global culinary landscape. For foodies and culinary experts, the city offers an unrivaled gelato experience that is deeply rooted in history yet vibrant and evolving, making it a true epicenter for gelato aficionados around the world.
How to Find the Best Gelato in Florence?
Because the preceding section was so long and informative, here I will cut to the chase. DO NOT use TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google or any other webicon to determine the best gelateria in Florence based on the number of stars in its review section. That’s how idiots might go about it, so don’t be an idiot.
Rather, find some good restaurants in Florence and ask the staff there where in the city has the best gelato, and trust their sage local foodie opinions. Finding a good restaurant isn’t hard, since all you have to do is stay off the main touristy thoroughfares and look at the food on people’s tables to decide if the joint is good or not.
I have a fondness for outdoor menus with an English translation section, but in general if you are on a little side street, the place has a great vibe and atmosphere, the menu is varied, and the food looks great on people’s plates (it’s not rude to stare at other people’s dishes while they are enjoying their meals), it will count as a ‘good restaurant’ as far as my methodology is concerned.
And so the winner is….
Gelateria La Carraia
There are a couple locations in Florence but you may as well pick the one on the river Arno, so you can stare at the city-river-pedestrian scenery etc. This is also an excellent name for a gelateria that has the best gelato in the world.
La Carraia, a region renowned for its exceptional marble quarries, holds a place of considerable historical significance in Italy, particularly noted for its contribution to Renaissance art. This area’s fine marble was the material of choice for master sculptors and architects during the Renaissance, serving as the raw material for some of the period’s most revered artworks and structures.
The purity and durability of La Carraia’s marble made it an ideal medium for the era’s artists, who could achieve unparalleled detail and finesse in their work. This marble not only became synonymous with the aesthetic ideals of the Renaissance but also contributed to the region’s economic and cultural prestige, as its quarries attracted artisans, architects, and patrons from across Europe.
The legacy of La Carraia’s marble continues to be celebrated today, embodying the fusion of natural beauty and human artistic achievement that defined one of the most flourishing periods in human history.
What I noticed about the gelato here is that it is probably the densest gelato I’ve ever had, as dense as a heavy ice cream, but it still had a texture and body that was unmistakably gelato-esque. That’s my food critic terminology for you!
After eating a few gallons of gelato on your trip to Italy, when you get back home you should probably lose those extra pounds that you weren’t able to walk off through all the aimless tourist wandering you did, so you may as well take a deep dive into my low carb vegan cuisine to set you up for your next round of European gelateria hopping:
Most gelaterias these days do have vegan gelato, so if that’s how you swing with your gelato, just ask for some sono vegetariano / vegano flavors and you’re good to go.
