Signs That The Gelato You're Eating Is Fake
If you are a big fan of everything Italian, then gelato has to be a dessert high on your list. It's with good reason too. Gelato is such a delicious, indulgent take on what you might think of as ice cream. However, the frozen Italian treat actually has a lot less fat than typical ice cream. It's also churned slower so that a ton of air isn't added in. What you end up with is a denser, smoother texture that displays more vibrant flavors. That's also why gelato is served at a warmer temperature. It helps the wonderful flavors shine through (via The Local).
Unfortunately, there are no regulations on gelato, which means it's easy to mistake low-quality or fake gelato for the real artisanal deal. There are, however, quite a few hallmarks you can look for to ensure the gelato you are buying is the good stuff.
First of all, you want to stay far away from gelato that has a rough, granular, or fluffy appearance. That could mean that more air has been churned in. It definitely shouldn't taste stale if you try a flavor, and the flavor shouldn't be hard to identify. Lastly, one of the easiest signs to spot is the color of the gelato, which shouldn't be too vivid (via Italian Gelato).
Look for these signs in good gelato
There are a number of positive indicators that you've found good gelato too. It should have a smooth surface that is somewhat porous and a fresh taste that's easy to identify if you try it. But there are two easy things to look for first when it comes to gelato.
First of all, it should have a muted or an appetizing natural color. According to Domenico Maggiore, a gelataio, "A quality gelato will never have very vibrant colors, but natural ones. For example, pistacchio should never be green like you might think, but brownish." Banana should look grey instead of yellow, lemon should look white, and berry colors should look like deep reds (via Condé Nast Traveler). You can also look for flavors that are in season as well as a list of ingredients for the gelato. Maggiore added, "Gelato should never look shiny — that means there are too many sugars, or that it's oxidized, which means it's old." So, there are quite a few key components to its appearance to look for.
You can also look at how the gelato is stored. Good gelato is stored in circular containers that sometimes have lids on them. Stay away from gelato that is piled high in containers. This kind of gelato tends to have more air and isn't authentic. Go armed with this knowledge the next time you treat yourself to gelato. You won't be disappointed by the product you end up with.