Though Florence is believed to be the birthplace of modern gelato, the origins have become hazy over time. What we think of as gelato today actually started in China – the original was more of a sorbetto, and it first arrived in Europe with Attila the Hun and his Mongolian hordes as they swept across Asia in the fifth century. The Romans had their own version, the so called ‘Nivatae Potiones’ – cold desserts of honey mixed with ice or snow. But it was the Florentine architect Bernardo Buontalenti who created the oldest gelato – he blended milk, honey, egg, salt and ice into wooden containers, to serve at luxurious Medici banquets.
If there’s one thing I learnt during my search for the best gelaterias, it’s that not all gelato is created equal, and there are plenty of traps out there! I came across lots of places with vibrant, highly decorated mountains of gelato, made with artificial colouring and ingredients. Often the real treasures are hidden to the eyes – when you’re looking for a good gelateria, look for subtle displays and gelato stored in metal containers. The gelato should be flat or in soft waves, not piled up.
