Today, in these lines, we will discover together the best ice cream shop in Trapani. But before that, let’s delve into the history of gelato. Gelato is a food preparation made from milk, sugar, and various flavors, which is brought to a solid and creamy state through freezing and churning.
The origins of ice cream have always been a subject of great debate. In ancient times, fruit, milk, and honey were probably refrigerated along with other foods to preserve them. Later, some pastoral communities came to know about frozen milk, available only in winter.
According to a widely accepted opinion, gelato originated in China. Evidence of early gelato-like mixtures, made from overcooked rice, milk, and spices, solidified through immersion in snow, dates back to 2000 BC. For instance, during the Tang dynasty, there were records of frozen dairy products, including a dish made with kumiss (fermented mare’s milk), heated milk, flour, and camphor leaves before being served. Another account comes from the poet Yang Wanli, who praised frozen milk served in a crunchy form that melted quickly in the sun.
Traveling to our beloved Sicily, we find that it was the first region in Italy where, by the end of the 17th century, the consumption of frozen creams like sorbetto became popular. These treats became part of the summer menus of the Palermo aristocracy and even a gastronomic tradition.
Reliable information about the invention of gelato points to Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli from Sicily. He started in Palermo and eventually opened a café in Paris, the still-operating Café Procope, where a wide variety of gelato was served.
Best Gelateria in Trapani: Which One Is It?
Considering that temperatures are getting increasingly hot, we recommend cooling down with a gelato, preferably of excellent quality. Here are the best ice cream shop in Sicily, specifically in the city of Trapani.
One notable mention is the Trapani gelateria Liparioti, located just a few steps from the Imperial Bastion. Here, the sweet and delightful offerings often change with the season, and the meticulous selection of the best raw materials defines what goes into the sorbet machine.
Starting with simpler flavors like Balestrate mango, Leonforte peach, and Marsala strawberry, they also offer more elaborate flavors for those with a sweet tooth. Some highlights include peanut gelato with caramelized and salted peanuts, cassata with ricotta from Todaro farm, amaretto with Sicilian mandarin jam, and a classic flavor with walnuts and figs.
Additionally, this ice cream shop offers refreshing granitas, such as mulberry from Erice, Pizzuta d’Avola almond, and a novel combination of celery, mint, and lemon.