The fascinating history of Italian ice cream from Buontalenti to the present day

An age-old sweet that's become a must

Italian ice cream, or gelato in Italian, has become a must-have sweet treat the world over. Its unrivalled creaminess, rich authentic flavours and light texture make it a popular dessert with gourmets everywhere.

The fascinating history of this delicious frozen treat goes back millennia, spanning the ages from antiquity to modern innovations. Let's delve into the captivating evolution of Italian ice cream, from its ancient origins to its current popularity, via the essential contributions of iconic figures such as Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli and Bernardo Buontalenti.

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1. The origins: from ancient sorbets to the Renaissance

Antiquity: the art of refreshing palates

The history of ice cream doesn't begin in Italy, but much earlier, in antiquity. The Egyptians, Persians and Romans had already mastered the art of preserving snow to make fragrant sorbets, considered the forerunners of modern Italian gelato.

• In Persia, sharbat blended snow, honey and fresh fruit juice to create iced drinks.

• Under Nero, the Romans harvested snow from the mountains to mix with honey and dried fruit.

• Alexander the Great regularly drank iced beverages after battles.

The Renaissance: the rise of ice in Italy

It was in Florence, during the Renaissance, that soft serve began to take shape. In 1533, Catherine de Medici brought Tuscan sorbet recipes to the French court, accompanied by Italian artisan ice-cream makers. The refinement of techniques accelerated, paving the way for the birth of modern gelato.

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2. The golden age of gelato: the Italian pioneers

Bernardo Buontalenti: the architect of modern gelato

In the 16th century, Florentine engineer and artist Bernardo Buontalenti created a creamier version of ice cream. He incorporated milk, sugar, eggs and natural flavors into his recipes, breaking with water-based sorbets. Gelato as we know it today was born.

Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli: conquering Europe

In 1686, Sicilian Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli opened the Café Procope in Paris. He served ice creams inspired by Italian traditions, which quickly won over Europe's intellectual and artistic elite. It was thanks to him that Italian ice cream gained its letters of nobility on the Old Continent.

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3. The industrial era: cold machines and democratization

The beginnings of refrigeration

Until the 19th century, ice cream remained a luxury reserved for a minority. But the invention of refrigerating machines changed all that: ice could now be produced all year round, on a large scale and at lower cost.

Ice cream parlors became accessible to the general public and flourished in cities all over Europe and America.

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4. The 20th century: the commercial explosion of gelato

Gelato conquers the world

In the 20th century, Italian immigrants took their artisan know-how with them to the United States, South America and all over Europe. Everywhere, they opened gelaterias, making gelato a global icon of sweet pleasure.

Soft Italian ice cream: a gourmet innovation

In the 1950s, the arrival of soft ice cream machines marked a turning point. By injecting air into the mixture, a lighter, more melt-in-the-mouth texture was achieved. Spiral soft serve , served in cones, became a popular symbol, quick to serve and economical.

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5. Today: the revival of artisan gelato

Between tradition and innovation

Today, Italian ice cream is undergoing a veritable renaissance. Artisans are focusing on naturalness, original flavors and respect for the product: less sugar, no additives, vegan or lactose-free options.

A booming market

Gelato is part of the trend towards "better eating" and quality snacking. It appeals to demanding consumers in search of authenticity and taste. Training courses, competitions, innovations: Italian gelato continues to shine.

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Conclusion

From Antiquity to the present day, Italian ice cream has been the embodiment of a delicious journey through time and civilization. Combining tradition, know-how and innovation, it remains one of the most universal and timeless of pleasures. A spiral of freshness, sweetness and history in every bite.