We love a sweet treat as much as anyone, but that picture-perfect gelato display might be more style than substance. According to seasoned gelato experts, there are a handful of telltale signs that can reveal whether you’re about to enjoy the real deal or a disappointing scoop.
From what’s in the ingredients list to how it’s stored and displayed, these six expert-backed tips will help you spot authentic gelato, whether you’re in Italy this summer or treating yourself closer to home.
Towering Gelato In The Display Case
If the gelato is piled high above the rim in towering, fluffy peaks, beware. Authentic gelato is dense and creamy, not sculptable.
“The dramatic mounds you often see in gelato cases usually require added gums, stabilizers and fillers to hold their shape,” said Noah Dan, owner of Pitango Gelato (with locations in the Mid-Atlantic region), who spent his childhood in Trieste, in northeastern Italy. “That fluffy, overflowing appearance often comes from high air content — sometimes from over-churning, other times from using vegetable fats and emulsifiers to trap more air.”
