italia euro café and gelato

Vistors to Italy will remark that finding gelato with the same texture and flavor outside of Italy is a rare treat, not so easy to find. Lucky for Orlando area residents and visitors there exists italia euro café and gelato, said to hit the mark. Located in Hannibal Square at the corner of Hannibal and New England Avenue in Winter Park, FL, patrons regularly claim italia euro café and gelato makes the only gelato they have found that accurately replicates this frozen treat they had in Italy.

Gelato is different than ice cream, different than yogurt, and not as easily duplicated. Gelato has a unique, creamy texture and flavor “intensely flavored and gently frozen.” Described by La Cucina Italian Magazine’s The Scoop About Gelato, it is the result of “a careful balance of sugar, fat, solids and liquids claculated by weight… Perfect consistency, with the absence of fat, depends on a precise percentage of total sugar… Gelato doesn’t travel well and is at its very best when freshly made, sold within hours of production…All gelato made on-site in Italy is defined, by law, as artigianale (artisanal)…”

While the texture of gelato may be slightly different throughout regions of Italy, the history, rules, and origins of gelato artisans dates back centuries, finding deep roots in the island of Sicily. (See travelswithmiha post Italian Cooking Class… to read about a favorite gelateria in Taormina she frequented while spending a month in Sicily).

The gelato at  italia euro café and gelato is made by an artisan (gelato chef) originally from Milan. 200 flavors are made by the chef on a machine in Miami and brought in to rotate through the menu weekly. Although not hand made on-site in Winter Park as in the traditional sense, the gelato is the product of an expensive machine that accurately imitates the traditional process, noted to be one of only 7 in the world in use today, and one of only 2 in the US.

italia euro café and gelato makes a wonderfully creamy and flavorful variety of vegan gelatos from fruits such as mango, blueberry, pineapple and banana. Dairy based gelato flavors such as coconut cream, pistaccio, dulce de leche and blueberry cheesecake are examples of some that move through the menu. In addition, a variety of uniquely Italian favorites will be found certain days, such as Cassata Siciliana, made with ricotta and marzipan dotted with dried fruit and a little chocolate chip. One such uniquely Italian favorite, labeled “Best Seller” on the italia euro café and gelato menu is the Affogato, and old tradition of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over it (the cappuccino gelato actually works quite well with the espresso over it).

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week are Date Night at the italia euro café and gelato, whereby Italian coffee based drinks are, for the most part, approximately two for the price of one. For example, Macchiato for two on Date Night is currently on the menu for $2.89.

So for those in the Orlando area missing the traditional gelato of  Italy, having a hankering for Italian cakes or coffee – or for those who have never been to Italy and want to “warm up” to that someday trip, head to Winter Park. Located at 470 W New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL (corner of New England and Hannibal)  italia euro café and gelato serves up that rare treat not so easy to find: Gelato with the correct flavor and texture of that found in Italy.