There’s a new type of gelato in town, and it’s plant-based. Traditional Italian gelato has always been a lighter version of ice cream, but artisans are now experimenting with oat milk and other plant-based ingredients to make the treat healthy, delicious, and dairy-free. Now, vegans don’t have to compromise their diet in order to enjoy the perfect summer afternoon snack.
GIO Gelati, a local company with stores in San Francisco and San Ramon, focuses on making artisanal gelato with sustainable and seasonal ingredients. Chef Patrizia Pasqualetti, a gelato maker from Orvieto (Umbria), and entrepreneur Guido Mastropaolo opened their shops with the goal of satisfying Californians’ health-conscious palates without compromising the quality and flavor of authentic Italian gelato.
GIO Gelati: Guido & Patrizia
As temperatures rise, Pasqualetti has been experimenting with new flavor combinations, but that doesn’t mean she’s strayed from the classics. Here, you can find some landmarks of the Italian summer, as Stracciatella, a base of fiordilatte mixed with shredded chocolate. Also, as GIO follows strictly the season, the array of flavors might vary. The luscious Peach, for instance, goes from the white one to the Nectarine, which confers different nuances and flavors to the final result. All their fruit’s flavors, from Cantaloupe to Watermelon, are made following a dairy-free recipe (the gelato lab uses just water, fruit, and organic sugar).
Experimenting with new flavors and texture is part of the game. When coming up with a vegan version of her luscious, silky, rich chocolate flavor, Pasqualetti first tried using almond and cashew milk but explains, “Nothing has given us results like oat milk. When combined with good quality cocoa, oat milk yields a creamy texture and distinctive ‘yummy’ color—the exact shade of dark chocolate.”
Pasqualetti’s chocolate flavor has a distinct aroma; GIO Gelati, which has also started a membership program to deliver favorite flavors at home, works with cold milk, keeping hints of the oat taste alive. Oat milk is not only a great source of vitamin B, but new studies suggest that it may also help lower blood cholesterol. Chocolate and oats are also natural sources of energy, so if you’re looking for an alternative to coffee, you have permission to indulge in this icy, flavorful pick-me-up.