Summer means Gelato

Every year there is someone in a group which I lead who will pop up with the same question, "Angelica, what is the difference between gelato and ice cream?"



Granted, not all gelaterie are the same. The variety depends on production methods and ingredients used. I should also mention, in fact, that there is a great distinction between artisan and industrial gelato (ice cream). Both are apparently similar in appearance. However they reveal substantial differences. The differences relate to the production methods and ingredients used. The differences also relate to the temperature of production and the conservation of the product.



Gelato is only homemade with fresh ingredients from the Italian tradition. The base is milk, sugar and eggs. To obtain other flavors chocolate, milk-cream and fruits etc are added.



It is possible to produce fruit gelato, a sort of "sorbet", without milk and sugar. This gelato has fewer calories, but it is also less creamy and less tasty. It uses fructose instead sugar, which has the same calories, but a lower glycemic index . It is creamy and it melts very fast depending on the outside temperature.



Instead industrial ice cream contains milk powder, vegetable oils and additives such as colorants, emulsifiers, stabilizers and flavorings. It is generally 'more' soft and bulky, 'because it contains more air, although this can also depend on the brand.



Legally ice cream has a minimum of ten percent fat, while gelato is made with a greater proportion of whole milk to cream, so it contains more like five to seven percent fat. Gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, so it is denser because not as much air is whipped into the mixture. Finally, while ice cream is typically served frozen, gelato is typically stored and served at a slightly warmer temperature, so it's not quite completely frozen. Since there is not as much fat in gelato, it doesn't coat the mouth in the same way. So the flavors are more intense.



Some History
In the middle ages the Arabs arrived in Sicily and discovered a way to sweeten and taste the snow of Mt Etna.



Florence has a long gelato tradition as well. A frozen dessert appeared during banquets at the Medici court in Florence. Bernardo Buontalenti, a creative artist and cook is said to have invented modern icecream in 1565. He presented his recipe and his innovative refrigerating techniques to Caterina De Medici.


My favourite gelaterie? May I say it ?...They are all Sicilian! There are only a few exceptions: Gelateria de Medici in Florence and Gelateria di Piazza in San Gimignano. Here you have to try the cream flavor, Crema di Santa Fina, a vanilla cream with saffron !



- Posted by Angelica

A Triumphal Memorial Arch - outside of Rome

 Where is the oldest surviving ancient Roman triumphal arch? Not in Rome… but in Rimini!

This town is a popular seaside resort on the Adriatic Sea in the region Emilia Romagna.Rimini is famous for its long beaches, friendly organized bathing establishments, family run hotels, great food, loud thumping discotèques, and this really, really ancient piece of architecture. It is also famous for a Renaissance church by Leon Battista Alberti (which will be the topic of another future post!).

In order to make the Arch stand out a bit more, in the early 20^th century the town demolished many of the surrounding buildings. It thus created an isolated setting for this omnipotent monument which beckons you to create a relationship with it. I mean you don’t just want look at it from a car window, you want to get near the work, you want to create a dialogue with it. One needs to absolutely walk underneath the Arch from one side to the other. It is super big!

    

Rimini’s Triumphant Arch dates to 27 BC. It is 17 meters high and is built in Istrian stone. It was placed on this location to mark the entrance of the Flamianian way, the road which linked Rimini to Rome. The arch was erected by the Roman Senate in memorial of Emperor Augustus and one can still make out the inscription at the top. In this sense it can be read more as a memorial arch rather than a triumphant arch. The wide opening of the arch itself is a reference to the new peace which was achieved after a long period of civil wars. Gods are pictured in the ovals. Jupiter and Apollo face away from the city. Neptune and Rome face toward the city. They represent the greatness of Rome and Augustus’ power.

The battlements on top may look a little odd. That is because they are not original. They were added in medieval times around the 10^th century.

- Photos and Post by Elizabeth

Le Mille Miglia

On May 16 "Le Mille Miglia" will take place in central Italy. This historical car race was started in1927. It was first organized by a passionate pilot, Count Aymo Maggi, from Brescia together with Franco Mazzotti, who financed the race. The race path chosen was an "eight" shape from Brescia (in northern Italy) to Rome (in central Italy) and back, with a distance of about 1,600 km (corresponding to about one thousand miles). After the enormous success of this event it was decided to repeat it in years to come. Only on a few occasions was the competition was interrupted, such as during World War II (1941-1946). One of the pilots who has left a mark in mille miglia history was the Brit Stirling Moss. Moss travelled 1600 km in 10 hours 16mn and 39 seconds with a Mercedes Benz 300 SLR n°722.

Many people stand at the roadside to watch the most extravagant and fashionable cars roar by quickly. There is always great fanfare and cheering! So I will see them in Florence on the via Bolognese on their way back to Brescia. And as we say, "vinca il migliore!!"

- Posted by Angelica

It's Iris time again

We have written about the iris before (see Angelica's post on Florentine gardens and my post about the iris as symbol of Florence). Needless to say, this May this beautiful flower is once again the protagonist of our walks, our camera lenses and our blog posts!

While on a walk around my neighborhood last week I realized the Iris Garden was open just underneath Piazzale Michelangelo. So I returned the next day with my camera and took some photos.

The aim of the Italian Iris Society is to collect the most beautiful irises created by hybridization. The collections were started in 1957. Each year the Society promotes an International Iris Competition which has as its aim to judge the examples of irises sent from every part of the world. Prizes are awarded to the best. The rhizomes are allowed to settle and grow in their new environment for three years. After this time they are examined and appraised by an international jury.

 

- Photos and Post by Elizabeth