The Origin of Gelato

Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream, derived from the Latin word “gelātus.”  With anything that goes back as far as the second century BC, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when or who discovered gelato. Biblical and historical records indicate that frozen treats made from snow and flavored with fruit juices and other natural sweeteners were enjoyed by King Solomon and Roman Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar.

Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East with a recipe that closely resembled what is now called sherbet. Historians estimate that this recipe evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. England seems to have discovered ice cream at the same time, or perhaps even earlier than the Italians. “Cream Ice,” as it was called, appeared regularly at the table of Charles I during the 17th century. In 1533 ice cream was introduced to France when Italy’s Catherine de’ Medici married Henry II and brought her Italian chefs to the French Court. The first ice cream store opened in Italy in 1600. In France, the famous Café Procopio opened in 1686 and features Italian ice cream to this day when Italy’s Catherine de’ Medici married Henry II and brought her Italian chefs to the French Court. It wasn’t until 1660 that ice cream was made available to the general public. The Sicilian Procopio introduced a recipe blending milk, cream, butter, and eggs at Café Procope, the first café in Paris.