By Bridget Perdomo
Tastiest Way To Beat The Spanish Heat
As spring begins to fade and temperatures begin to rise, tourists and locals are both on the hunt to find the best ways to beat the summer heat. Arriving in Spain as the summer season approaches, visitors can expect temperatures to average around 28 to 29 degrees celsius, or 82 to 85 degrees fahrenheit. With an ice cream shop, or more commonly a gelateria on every corner, it is easy to assume what the best way to cool down from the Spanish sun is.
Whether it be 11:00 am or 8:00 pm, gelaterias are packed with customers trying to choose their favorite scoops and combinations. You’ll see grandparents taking their grandkids, parents taking their toddlers, lovers taking their lovers, and tourists taking their selfies all over these magical shops. Young or old, Spanish or vacationing, people fill these little gelaterias at any time of the day.
Differences Between American Ice Cream and European Gelato
In a cone or in a cup, in Barcelona or in Madrid, gelaterias have something for everyone! American travelers can find their ice cream fix in the form of gelato or from American franchises across Spain. Although visually gelato and ice cream don’t have many differences, the two recipes can be wildly different. Of course every recipe is different depending on which gelateria you go to, but regardless of the shop, gelato and ice cream have very key distinctions.
What Is Ice Cream?
Ice cream is a sweetened frozen dessert made of milk, cream, sugar, and typically egg yolks. Although there are several other differences between ice cream and gelato, the central difference lies in the use of egg yolks. Also, ice cream tends to be more fatty because it possesses a higher percentage of cream than gelato. The ingredients in ice cream are all first cooked together to create a thick custard.
Once the custard is formed, it must cool before it can be churned together. It’s churned together at a high speed in a cooling chamber, this allows more air to enter the ice cream. Because of this, ice cream usually tends to be lighter and fluffier than gelato. The ice cream is placed into the freezer to harden so that it can be scooped out and hold shape. The ice cream is rich and creamy and is typically sweeter than gelato.
Where Can You Find American Ice Cream in Barcelona?
Although there are gelaterias on almost every corner, if you’re missing American ice cream, you can still find your favorites throughout Spain. Where there’s a mom and pop gelateria, there is usually an American ice cream chain a few steps away. Most commonly you will find American chains such as Haagen Dazs and Ben and Jerry’s. Despite being just a few feet away from homemade gelato, these American franchises are still packed with customers.
Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop can be found at the heart of Barcelona. One location which is always full of tourists and locals is located right next to La Sagrada Familia. American ice cream stores typically open an hour earlier than mom and pop gelaterias. Ben and Jerry’s is open from 9:00 am to 9:30 pm every day of the week. You can go in the store and order scoops in cones or cups or you can pick up your own pint of your favorite flavor and bring it home. Whatever you choose, you won’t miss out on the nostalgic American sweetness!
One visitor from America was asked why he chose Ben and Jerry’s ice cream over all the local gelaterias in the area.
Henry Weaver, from Austin, Texas said, “I’ve actually been in Barcelona for a month now, and of course I love the gelato, but you just can’t get Half Baked anywhere else!”
What Is Gelato?
Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. Although in Spain, the word gelato is most commonly used to advertise these delicious frozen treats. Like ice cream, gelato starts off with a custard composed of milk, cream, and sugar. Gelato typically has less of a fat percentage because it does not contain as much cream and does not contain egg yolks. In substitute of the cream content, gelato contains more milk.
Once the custard is formed and cooled, it is churned in a frozen chamber at a lower speed than ice cream. This does not allow the gelato to incorporate as much air as ice cream. Because gelato has less air than ice cream, it is denser and lighter. Gelato is also served at a warmer temperature than ice cream so when it is scooped it is softer and smoother.
Where Can You Find Gelato In Barcelona?
One gelateria that competes with Ben and Jerry’s on the same block is Gelateria Neva. It is right on the corner of Carrer de Sicília and the sweet smells of the fresh cones can stop you in your tracks from across the street. Gelato in Spain has
several flavors that are not commonly familiar to visitors, for example you can find Kinder, Turrón, and Stracciatella. Explore and try all the new flavors Spain has to offer!
Evan Cortez, the gelato shop worker, said, “I do not get anything but Stracciatella, this is the best flavor at Neva.”
Where Can You Find Gelato In Madrid?
Travel to the heart of Madrid to find a gelato that looks almost too beautiful to eat! The shop workers at Almorino scoop your ice cream and form it into the shape of a rose. But don’t be afraid! The gelato tastes even better than it looks! You can even ask for a delicious and colorful macaroon on top.
Daryn Morffy, from Miami, Florida, said, “I’ve never been served an ice cream this pretty! I had to have spent 5 minutes capturing the perfect photo to show it off.”
Whether it be American ice cream or Spanish gelato, Spain is sure to offer the perfect treat for your hot summer day! Bite it, lick it, spoon it, let it drip all over your face, however you may eat your frozen dessert, you’ll never be able to get enough.
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