Gelato can change your life.
Tucson artist Harley Brown will attest to that.
"I get the same kind of feeling with just a few bits of caramel gelato than with an entire scoop (of regular ice cream)," said the 69-year-old, who usually orders vanilla or sometimes caramel at the Gelato Dessert Cafe. "She gave me a little scoop of that stuff, and I saw stars."
"She" is Esther Moore, who owns Gelato Dessert Cafe. She opened her cozy 1,000-square-foot shop near Grant and Silverbell roads in July 2007.
"(Gelato) is the trend in the frozen-dessert industry now," said Moore, 49, who has a background in catering.
Frost led the current gelato craze when it opened in Casas Adobes Plaza in May 2005. Now you can indulge in the Italian dessert in spots throughout Tucson.
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Trevor and Seth Zamar opened Fratelli Gelato Lounge at 2485 N. Swan Road last December.
"We like being in the kitchen," said Seth, 23. "We wanted something to represent our heritage."
Like a few places in town, the brothers' gelato equipment is imported from Italy. Plush chairs, a sofa and cool lighting give Fratelli a true lounge feel.
One daily customer, Dale Cobb, lived in Italy for four years while in the U.S. Air Force.
"I consider myself a bit of an aficionado," said Cobb, 33, who owns Leisure Pool and Spa Service. "This is the closest thing to authentic Italian gelato that I've ever had in the U.S."
Moore of Gelato Dessert Cafe introduced pet gelato a couple of months ago. Its sugar-free and chocolate-free flavors are also appropriate for diabetics. She makes other gelato types, too, including gluten- and lactose-free.
She invites people to request unique flavors — just call at least a day in advance.
"Broccoli gelato — it's delicious," Moore said.
A VIPet wall of fame at the shop features photos of mostly dogs eating her gelato — although ferrets, cats and horses have been know to enjoy it, too. Her small front patio has a couple of tables and chairs for pets and their owners.
Moore provides gelato to about a dozen restaurants in Tucson. She also hosts small private party tastings, which work like a wine tasting.
The intense flavor of gelato and its sometimes imported ingredients from Italy come at a price. Most places in Tucson charge more than you'd pay for a similar amount of ice cream.
Brooklyn Pizza Company is an exception. Two scoops of gelato, or about 8 ounces, cost $2.31. Many places around town price their gelato at least $2 more for the same amount.
"I think people throw the word 'gelato' in and think they can charge a lot more," said Tony Vaccaro, the 39-year-old owner of Brooklyn Pizza Company.
DID YOU KNOW
Gelato is made with milk instead of cream, but that doesn't mean it's lower in fat or calories, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.
For a half-cup portion, most ice creams and gelatos contain about 200 to 250 calories, 12 to 16 grams of fat and 8 to 10 grams of saturated fat.
Plus, gelato is very dense because it has very little air in the product. It's typically served about 10 to 15 degrees warmer than ice cream, leaving it with a softer consistency.
Gelato usually contains sweeteners, egg yolks and flavoring. Ice cream contains those products, too, but often also has stabilizers and emulsifiers.
Sorbet is gelato's cousin, except it doesn't contain any milk or eggs. Sorbets use only sugar, lemon juice and fresh fruit for flavor.
