What is gelato?

As the temperature rises outside, we tend to seek out frozen treats to cool off. Why not choose something that is magically creamy and intensely flavored with less than half the fat and calories of premium ice cream? Because it sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong! The refreshing dessert you are looking for is gelato - and you can find it in Chapel Hill at Sugarland or in Raleigh’s Cameron Village at the bakery’s second Triangle location that opened in 2012.

In Italian, gelato means “frozen”, which makes this cold treat perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while trying to beat the heat. Gelato is not a new phenomenon, though - it has been around since the 1600s, allowing plenty of time to develop new flavors that embrace the basic Italian recipe.

Traditional Italian gelato is denser than American-style ice cream because it has less air, creating an intense flavor and density that makes those whimsical twirls possible. Air is introduced when ice cream is made, and the only way to produce the creamy texture is to add cream or fat.

Gelato is also served at about 12 degrees versus 10 below, which is the standard temperature for an American ice cream freezer. The warmer temperature brings out the flavor and aroma in the frozen treat.

Sugarland has put their own “spin” on gelato in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. Their classically-trained gelato maestros studied the art of authentic artisanal gelato spinning in Italy and are certified “Masters of Gelato”. The local bakery even imported their gelato machines and cases from Italy to to ensure the highest quality and most authentic product. Sugarland serves a traditional Northern Italian style gelato that has a base of fresh local whole milk and pure cane sugar. A rainbow of beautiful twirling peaks fill the gelato bar everyday and with 24 flavors made daily from fresh ingredients, you’ll soon find yourself craving gelato all summer.