Gelato

Gelato, artisanal ice cream, was invented in Florence during the Renaissance period by a poulterer named Ruggeri. Ruggeri took part in a contest held by the ‘de Medici family who wanted to find “the most unconventional plate ever seen”. The unconventional plate Ruggeri prepared was a frozen dessert, precisely gelato. The recipe got lost over centuries, but it is said that by that time Ruggeri’s gelato enchanted all the judges and won the contest.
Catherine ‘de Medici wanted to bring Ruggeri as her personal chef to France, because she thought he was better skilled than all French pastry cooks. For the Queen’s wedding banquet, Ruggeri prepared his gelato using frozen scented water with sugar in it.
Buontalenti can also be considered the inventor of gelato. He was a great architect, sculptor, painter and he was passionate about cooking. He used to organize rich banquets for Italian and foreign guests at the ‘de Medici court. Once he had to organize a banquet for Spanish guests and that was when he prepared his gelato made of milk, honey, yolks, and a drop of wine. Nowadays, Buontalenti’s gelato has become a famous ice-cream flavor, precisely “Buontalenti” or “Florentine cream”, and can still be eaten in gelato shops in Florence.

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