It seems like everyone always thinks of eating ice cream when they visit Italy. The world over knows the word "Gelato" doesn't it? Certainly, the Italian Gelato is yummy and a cone is very much warranted on a hot day of touring. We've had them many times. Here we are in Rome in 2010 with our very overpriced, but just what we needed cones in front of the Colosseum. (not that all Gelato is overpriced in Italy--but we were in PRIME real estate there lol)
Luckily, by that same summer, we had figured out that little ice cream shops all over Germany are just as good often much more reasonably priced. Here we are enjoying ice cream in Bad Wimpfen, also in 2010. This is one of those photos that really shocks me with just how much my kids have grown in a short time!
So anyway, back to the ice cream. The going rate for a cone, or cup is a very reasonable 80 Euro cents (this is a mark up from the 70 it was the first two summers we were here!). You can expect to pay 1.00 Euro in more touristy areas though.
For the most part the ice cream is much softer than the typical American scoop ice creams, but it is not a soft serve exactly either. It is actually what many Americans think of as "Gelato" and much of it is imported from Italy. In fact, on more than one occasion we have been buying ice cream in Italy and the kids have gotten a glance at the brand of ice cream on the cartons in back and it has been the same as the brand carried by one of our local shops :) Personally, I think it is excellent stuff. Creamy and full tasting without being too rich or heavy.
Most places here will have a choice of around 10-15 flavours. You can pretty much count on a very rich chocolate, vanilla and 2-3 fruit sorbets (lemon is nearly always available, and one of my favourites). From there, each store seems to have its own standards (often cookies, "Ali Baba" or "smurf" which are both bubble gum, peppermint, strawberry, cherry, rasberry soret, chocolate chip, caramel, etc) and there are always a few rotating ones. There are some flavours that our family loves that are "unusual" by US standards. Topping that list would be Cinnamon, Chocolate Chili, Yogurt Cream, Tiramasu and Dragon Fruit Sorbet.
So, should you ever find yourself in Germany (or if you are reading from here!), I highly recommend getting out there and having a cone (or two, or three . . .). It's a great pick me up on a hot afternoon, or a pleasant little dessert after dinner. Now that the ice cream is back and the weather is warm, you'll find us strolling over for a scoop, and eating it by the fountain most nights after our own dinner.
--Hadley
No comments:
Post a Comment