Episode 10: Gelato Festival 2014

Gelato was born in Florence and quickly spread throughout Italy.  Tempting the taste buds of Italians and tourists for centuries.  Visit Florence today and you will be hard pressed to walk 500 feet and not see 10 to 20 different flavors staring at you through the windows of one of the many gelato shops. Good thing you walk a lot in Italy, it takes the guilt away!

When you visit Italy, food will consume a  major portion of your trip, you will find that a scoop of gelato will be a daily occurrence.  Italian gelato makers take great pride in their creamy creations, from the variety of flavors to the presentation.  This pride turns into fierce competition.

Starting May 1st in Florence, it's the 2014 Gelato Festival!  This year, the festival will take place all summer long moving to other cities in Italy and Europe.  In today's Total Tuscany podcast you meet the creator of the Gelato Festival, Gabriele Poli where he discusses:

• The History of Gelato
• The criteria of competition
• Taste and Presentation
• Gelato vs. American ice cream

How may people go to the Gelato Festival?  How much gelato is there in Italy?  Listen to Gabriele and the numbers may astonish you!