6 places in KL to feed your Gelato needs

Oh, to escape the heat! Short of spending all day with the air-conditioning turned on, consuming ice-cold products seem to be the best way to cool down. This month, we went out to sample gelati from six different locations around town. Yes, work can be so hard some times.

What is gelato?
The Italian dessert, often compared to ice-cream. Though bearing many similarities, there are some differences.

Where is it originally from?
Researchers believe the original gelato recipe came from China. Marco Polo has been credited as the first to bring it to Italy. In the book Extra Ordinary Origins of Everyday Things, author Charles Panati writes of a 4000-year-old recipe from China that combined snow, honey, rice, and sweet flowers. The Italians experimented with the recipe and are generally credited for the gelato as we know today. Even within Italy, different provinces are responsible for different varieties of gelato. Northern Italy’s concoction is creamier, whereas the South’s version, more popularly known as sorbetto or sorbet, is more water-based. Regardless, all forms of gelato have to use real fruit and ingredients without any artificial flavourings.

What are the differences between gelato and ice-cream?
If you want to get technical, ice-cream has at least 10% butterfat while gelato has less due to the greater proportion of whole milk to cream (somewhere between 5% - 7% butterfat). Also because there’s less fat in gelato, the original flavours are stronger.

Air content is another difference. Ice-cream is churned and whipped at a higher speed, resulting in more air. Typically, gelato contains 25% - 30% air content but ice-cream can go up about 50%. As a result, gelato is usually creamier and denser.

Also, gelato can be stored and served at a warmer temperature than ice-cream, which is frozen.

 TASTE TEST

Lecka Lecka

Where: Starhill Gallery, Cineleisure Damansara, Ampang Petronas Station, Sungei Wang Plaza, Sogo, Jaya Jusco Klang, Alamanda Putraajaya

Popular Flavours: Caribbean Mix, Cookies

Price Range: RM7.90 (double scoop)

Verdict: This homegrown brand has done well with their gelato. Their website states that no air is whipped in the making of their gelato. Furthermore, their gelati are 94.9% fat-free and their sorbets are 99.9% fat-free. That doesn’t compromise on the final product. The Watermelon gelato we ordered tasted like a slice of the fruit, except much creamier.

Gelato Fruity

Where: Outlets in 1 Utama, Mid Valley Megamall, Cheras Selatan Jusco, Suria KLCC, Berjaya Times Square, Pavilion, Tropicana City Mall

Popular Favours: Soursop, Wild Berry Yoghurt

Price Range: RM6.80 (single scoop), RM9.80 (double scoop), RM10.50 (waffle double)

Verdict: Although not the most authentic in town, the Soursop and Wild Berry Yoghurt combination we picked was delightful. The flavours were intense, and there were pieces of soursop fruit and frozen berries within the cream. The waiters take care when they serve you, packing the dessert into your plastic cup as much as they can. Definitely a winner!

Gelatissimo

Where: Outlets in The Gardens, 1 Utama

Popular Flavours: Biscottino, Rum & Raisin, Mango

Price Range: RM8.90 (single scoop), RM12.90 (double scoop), RM16.90 (triple scoop). Add additional RM1 for cone.

Verdict: This parlour from Australia churns out pretty authentic gelato. Our pick of Pistachio and Macadamia & Nut carried really strong flavours. The creaminess was a little overwhelming. You needed a glass of water to wash it down, unlike Gelato Fruity’s which was more refreshing. Another sign that Gelatissimo’s offering was more authentic: it melted a lot faster than Gelato Fruity’s.

 MOF @ Japanese Sweets & Coffee

Where: Lot 1.02.00, Level 1, Pavilion, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur

Popular Flavours: Macha, Shira Sesame

Price Range: RM9

Verdict: Trust the Japanese to spin their own version of gelato! MOF sells Hokkaido gelato, which is made the same way but using milk and cream from Hokkaido. Our pick of the Shira Sesame flavour was different but pretty good. It wasn’t as creamy as some of the ones we’ve tried but the unique flavouring, as well as its serving with tong yuen (glutinous rice balls) sets it apart from the rest.

Il Padrino

Where: 50-G-1, Wisma UOA Damansara, 50 Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur

Popular Flavours: Pistachio, Lemon

Price Range: RM10

Verdict: Il Padrino serves a limited variety of gelato but that’s an indicator of quality. We picked the Bacio flavour, which is a mix of chocolate and hazelnut. The bittersweet flavourings of the hazelnut came across strongly and the texture was creamy but light at the same time.

Prego

Where: The Westin Kuala Lumpur, 199 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur

Popular Flavours: Strawberry Jam Swirl, Pistachio Nut

Price Range: RM5++ (per scoop)

Verdict: For premium quality gelato, Prego is surprisingly the most affordable of the bunch! We’re in love with the Very Berry Raspberry flavour which was bursting with fruity goodness. Tart, sweet and refreshing – absolutely perfect for a sweltering day. The Pistachio Nut was pleasant on the palate with subtle hints of nuts while the Mango Marshmallow was a fun pick, thanks to the chewy marshmallows.

Text Sarah Chan Photo Maybritt Rasmussen and Sarah Chan

Article taken from KLue Magazine August 2009, Issue 130