Gelato

The Italians are famous the world over for their ice cream. I can’t say I’m a fan. Until now.

Some friends introduced me to a family run gelateria near the train station of Jesi where they make their own ice cream.

I must have passed this place a hundred times, but have never been tempted to enter.

What a mistake.

We walked through the fairly conventional shop area to find a couple of small rooms filled to the brim with all sorts of interesting items hanging from the walls and ceiling which (for the main part) reflected the strong farming history of this area.

It was a warm and balmy evening, so we sat outside in the small walled garden.

I was thinking that I’d just have a cup of coffee, but I got caught up in the moment and the atmosphere and decided to have a hazlenut ice cream.

I was pursuaded to try the chocolate. So, hazlenut and chocolate it was.

The hazlenut was lovely, but the chocolate…

I don’t know where to begin. It was a world apart from any other ice cream I’ve ever tasted. Never, ever have I experienced such an intense, rich and velvety ice cream before.

It was rich but not sickly. Dense yet light. It was an ice cream that was also the best chocolate mousse and the best chocolate cake that you’ve ever eaten. (I said I didn’t know where to begin and now I’m finding it difficult to stop.) It was sublime.

So, I’m converted! I’m a little bit worried, though, that after this the others might be a big huge disappointment.

This modest little faded card put up in the window of the garden states that Bar Trieste was awarded 5th prize in the whole of Italy for artisan/handmade ice cream by Gambero Rosso.

I don’t know who the first 4 prizes were awarded to, but they must be amazing.

Where are the photos of the ice cream? Come on! It’s only ice cream. Look at the size of this pig!

Posted in Restaurants | Tagged Bar Trieste, gelato, Ice Cream | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on August at 4:23 pm | Reply Amanda @ A Tuscan View....

That ice cream just slipped down too quick to take the photo, didn’t it. Sure sounds like my kind of hang out, I can’t believe you’ve never been in before, what’s wrong with you woman! :)
on August at 7:37 pm | Reply diane

love your site..the photos and the food reminds me how much i miss italy..used to visit often for business and for vacations..but it has been two years since my last trip!!
finally added your site to the favorite site section of my blog (what took me so long?) here’s to some link love..
best,
diane

Thanks for the kind words and the link, Diane.
on August at 6:43 pm | Reply anne

How could of not gone in before!!!! Such a quaint little place. yes and all the interesting memorabilla…you will have to go back for another taste :-)

Well, from the outside there was no hint that this would be an Aladin’s cave, or that the ice cream would be so good. Yes, I’m certainly going back.
on August at 8:19 pm | Reply paninigirl

My two favorite flavors! I’m sitting here so jealous, trying to figure out how I can back to Italy asap! Love your description.
on September at 3:57 pm | Reply rowena

Thanks to my insatiable sweet tooth…I feel like my freezer is naked if I don’t have at least 2 flavors in there. A good thing that I’m active….otherwise I’d need to purchase those slimming suits that I see advertised on the shopping media network! :-D
on September at 10:54 pm | Reply Maryann

Sounds like my kind of place! Chocolate and hazelnut are 2 of my favorites! xox
on September at 2:35 pm | Reply Cherrye at My Bella Vita

I think you chose two great flavors, too! Yum. Glad you have crossed over to “our” side, now!
on September at 5:40 pm | Reply Gabi

Wow what a great place- I love all of the tools! The gelato sounds exquisite- I love it when something hits just right and your tastebuds seem to develop some extra senses… I’ll be right over ;)
Thanks for all of your lovely visits to me- I wish you were next door in reality!
on September at 6:26 pm | Reply Marie

I’m right with Gabi, wishing I lived next door to you, then we could all go for a walk and experience this exquisite gelato! I would order a straight hazelnut only! Yummm!

Marie, Straight hazlenut was my preference until someone said you’ve got to try the chocolate. They were absolutely right.
on September at 1:09 pm | Reply Lemon Air Miles « Casalba News

[…] I thought the photo of that huge pig was far more interesting than a shot of my gelato. You were right in one thing: mine did slip down faster than my lens shutter. This is […]
on October at 11:05 am | Reply Jo @ LittleFfarm Dairy

I’m a professional Gelatiere Artigianale (sorry can’t get the requisite accent ‘symbols’ on a Comments page to spell it correctly!) here in the UK – we craft traditional artisan gelato using the milk from our herd of pedigree Dairy Goats & are the first to do so using goats’ milk, in Wales.

Having lived out in Italy for a short while during our days in the RAF, & having Italian blood on my side of the family we both adore true gelato – you just can’t beat it. After leaving the RAF I retrained as an artisan cheesemaker as prior to our ‘retirement’ we bought our little Welsh farm, tucked away in a secluded wooded valley nestling between the wild Preseli Mountains & dramatic beauty of the Cardiganshire coast.

However I yearned for the tantalising taste & velvet-smooth texture of classical gelato, as the ice creams made & sold in our region were woefully lacking. I began to make a little of my own; & having served it to the local farmers during Hay Tea one summer, as they polished off every last mouthful they enthused that I should consider making it professionally. Friends of ours had also established a business in Essex making the UK’s original goats’ milk ice cream; & persuaded me to give the matter serious consideration.

So we packed our bags & travelled to Bologna to study under the tutelage of one of the world’s leading Master Gelatieres – it was a gruelling, intensive but wonderful course & worth every last penny. And this year we launched our ‘Lovespoon’ gelato at the Royal Welsh Show – so now have the pleasure of crafting this wonderful dessert for a living!

Incidentaly did you know that gelato is far lower in fat than most ice cream? And if tradition is faithfully followed & purely fresh, natural ingredients are used then it becomes better still….packed with calcium, vitamins & minerals it’s actually one of the healthier treats people can enjoy. As you enjoy both chocolate & hazelnut flavours, next time you visit that lovely little Gelateria try some Gianduia – basically, chocolate with hazelnuts…..heaven in a bowl!

And please, Please, PLEASE can you be persuaded take a photo – especially if they have decorated napoli pans on display – the enormous pig’s great but sumptuous gelato….? Mmmmmmmm……..!!

Jo, I’m so pleased you passed by. I didn’t have any idea that gelato was so much better for you than ice cream, but now you’ve pointed it out, it makes total sense. I certainly shall try the Gianduia and will take photos.

When I lived in the UK, I used to buy Welsh goat’s cheese and Somerset Brie – delicious. I can’t find any decent goat cheese here and I miss it! Luckily, there is an excellent Italian version of Brie.
on October at 1:38 pm | Reply Tears & Laughter « Casalba News

[…] and is an Artisanal Gelato maker in Wales. She left a really informative message on my ‘Gelato‘ post. Apparently it’s good for […]