Artisanal gelato is now a global product, in which Europe has always played the lead role. Indeed, gelato parlours can be found in 76 countries, on all continents, but Europe is well ahead of the pack. The European countries with the most gelato parlours and highest consumption of artisanal gelato are Italy, Germany, Spain and Poland, but figures are rising in others, such as Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Distribution is also increasingly widespread in Eastern European markets.

A key time in young people’s day, a mid-afternoon snack can be a moment of healthy pleasure. A good hand-made gelato is a tasty and nutritious choice, which can help children to opt for a balanced diet, without giving up mouth-watering flavour.

The last SIGEP, the International Homemade Gelato, Pastry, and Bakery Fair, in Rimini, saw a trend among all of the major companies in the industry to offer products – and in some cases an entire product line – for vegans

The winds of change are blowing through the gelato industry: preparation, quality, flavours and demand are growing and broadening at breakneck speed, while more and more young people are enrolling on professional gelato-making courses, wanting to learn about the latest trends in the sector so they can introduce them to their customers.