Italy, a charming European country on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, is known for its scenic natural landscapes, beautiful coastal towns, and extensive and prosperous history. But its vibrant food scene is also bursting at the seams with delicious cuisine. Think amazing wines, delectable pasta, and creamy gelato! 

If you’re visiting Italy soon, knowing the basic terms and phrases for ordering gelato is a must. This quick guide highlights gelato jargon, so that getting your hands on this delightful treat is as smooth as the gelato itself.

Italian Frozen Dessert Types

While Italy is the birthplace of gelato, it’s home to more than one kind of frozen treat. Two other distinct popular ice-cold desserts are sorbetto (or sorbet) and granita, which may appear similar to gelato in appearance. 

Gelato

Gelato uses milk, minimal cream and sugar, is churned slower and incorporates less air. It is made with natural ingredients and does not contain preservatives or additives. It’s described as soft, velvety and rich. 

Sorbetto

Sorbetto is made with water, sugar, and fruit purée or juice. Thus, it is dairy-free. Compared to gelato, it’s lighter and icier. In Italy, it’s often served as a palate cleanser or a refreshing treat on hot days. 

Granita

The production of granita is similar to sorbetto, with its difference being that it can also be flavoured with coffee or wine. However, unlike sorbetto, it’s characterised as coarser because it is periodically scraped to form a granular consistency. Granita is stored at a low temperature and feels more like shaved ice than ice cream. 

Gelato Types and Flavours

Gelato can be divided into creamy and fruity flavours. Below, we touch on what these words are in Italian, followed by classic flavours that can frequently be found at gelaterias in Italy. 

Crema

Crema means “cream” in Italian. Some common cream-based flavours include vaniglia (vanilla), nocciola (hazelnut), cioccolato (chocolate), stracciatella (chocolate chip), and caffè (espresso). 

Frutta

Frutta means “fruit” in Italian. Some common fruit-based flavours include limone (lemon), fragola (strawberry), frutti di bosco (mixed berries), ananas (pineapple), and amarena (sour cherry). 

Serving Styles

How you choose to have your gelato served is as important as your choice of flavour itself. In Italy, most gelaterias offer a selection of serving styles to cater to diverse preferences. 

Coppa

To receive your gelato scoop in a cup, communicate that you want it in a coppa, or coppetta. These cups tend to come in various sizes, which we will discuss in a later section. 

Cono

Cono refers to cone, which exists in different tastes and textures. Waffle cone, which is big, sweet and sports a defined criss-cross pattern, is called cono di cialda. Sugar cone, which looks like a waffle cone but is smaller, flatter and pointier, is called cono di zucchero. There’s also cono di wafer (wafer cone), which is brittle and light, and mini coni (mini cone), which is smaller and often meant for kids. 

Vaschetta

Vaschetta is what we know as the gelato tub. This container holds a substantial amount of gelato, more than one serving, and can feature a mixture of flavours. Vaschetta is more common for takeaways and online orders. 

Panna 

Topping gelato with fresh or whipped cream is a unique but widely adopted concept in Italy. For this, gelaterias might ask you if you would like la panna (fresh cream) or panna montata (whipped cream). You may choose either or forego both entirely. 

Sizes 

Gelato exists in different sizes such as small, medium and big. Just as with other gelaterias around the world, it can also be purchased in measures of scoops. Learning how to order according to the number of scoops you desire can allow you the possibility of tasting more than a single flavour each time. 

Piccolo 

Piccolo, meaning small, offers the least amount of gelato in one serving. 

Medio

Medio means medium, a popular and standard choice for those who want plenty without overindulging. 

Grande

Grande is the largest size, offering a generous portion of gelato. 

Gusti

Each scoop or ball of gelato is known as gusti. Add gusti after a specific number, such as tre gusti, which indicates that you would like to order three scoops of gelato. While getting one or two scoops is more common, three can be great for sharing or trying multiple flavours. Most gelato fans would advise against mixing crema- and frutta-based flavours in a one coppa or cono.

Special Dietary Terms 

Having specific dietary restrictions does not mean gelato is out of bounds. The section below explores how to express some of these needs so that your gelataio (gelato seller) can provide the appropriate recommendations. 

Senza Lattosio 

Senza lattosio means “without lactose”, or lactose-free. This caters to individuals who wish to consume dairy products without the presence of lactose, which can be made via the addition of the enzyme lactase. 

Vegano

Vegano is Italian for vegan, for individuals who do not consume meat, as well as dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived products. 

Senza Glutine

Senza glutine is gluten-free. Use this term when you’re looking for gluten-free gelato alternatives that do not contain the protein found in grains. 

Ordering Gelato in Italian

With all the words and phrases you’ve learnt so far, you’re well on your way to placing your first gelato order entirely in Italian! A simple structure to follow is to state your preferred flavour, along with the desired size and serving style, as shown below:

“Salve, vorrei un gelato al [flavour] [size] in [serving style], per favore.”

Here’s an example with the blanks filled in:

“Salve, vorrei un gelato al pistacchio medio in coppa, per favore.”

Don’t forget to say “grazie!” once you’ve received your gelato as a sign of appreciation for the delicious sweet treat. 

A Taste of Artigianale Gelato in Singapore

Before you pack your bags for your trip of a lifetime to Italy, why not swing by one of the top gelato cafés in Singapore to have a true taste of this Italian delicacy? Sugartree Gelato is among few artisanal, micro-batch production gelaterias located here at home, led by distinguished chefs who have trained under the careful guidance of the acclaimed Carpigiani Gelato University, Italy. 

Visit us for exceptional-quality gelato made in captivating flavours such as strawberry hibiscus, cookies and berries cream, and black sesame, as well as enduring classics like roasted pistachio and dark chocolate. If not, order online for us to deliver straight to your doorstep — allowing you to relish in top-tier and authentic Italian treats from the comfort of your own home. 

Buon appetito!