European Artisanal Gelato Day, held every 24 March, marks the unofficial start of the gelato season across Europe. The ninth edition in 2021 carried a message of courage, hope and creativity after a season badly disrupted by the health emergency.

About the day

The day celebrates artisan craftsmanship and quality gelato, and it is the only date the European Parliament has dedicated to a food product. It was created by Longarone Fiere and Artglace.

Flavour of the Year 2021: Mantecado

Each year a different European nation chooses a Flavour of the Year, sold on 24 March in every participating gelato shop. After the Netherlands chose yoghurt gelato with strawberry marbling in 2020, Spain picked Mantecado for 2021.

• It is inspired by a traditional vanilla cream.
• It is marbled with orange and topped with dark chocolate shavings.
• It reflects Spain’s culinary history: vanilla owes its name to the Spanish conquistadors, they brought chocolate to Europe, and Spain is Europe’s top orange grower, with 3.4 million metric tons harvested in 2019.

Bitter and sweet, creamy and crunchy, Mantecado invited artisans to offer their own interpretations using local ingredients.

A hybrid physical and digital edition

After a 2020 edition that was entirely virtual in many countries, 2021 combined both. Customers could order cones or cups from their local gelato shop and have them delivered home, with support from Deliveroo, Europe’s leading online food-delivery platform. Contests, masterclasses and other virtual and in-person events took place around Europe.

Partners in 2021 included ACOMAG (the Italian association of gelato machinery and fittings manufacturers), the Italian Gelato Makers’ Association, CNA, Confartigianato, Conpait, the Italian Gelato Makers Federation and Sigep, run by Italian Exhibition Group, among others. Details were published on gelato-day.com and on the official Gelato Day Facebook and Instagram accounts.

What this means for gelato makers in New Zealand

A single signature flavour and a good story can pull customers through the door, wherever you are. Plan your own seasonal launch with Rubicone ingredients, craft it on Carpigiani gelato machines and present it in ISA gelato cabinets.

Source: Carpigiani news. Rewritten for New Zealand by Majors Group.