Winter, Shminter: Why you’ll be screaming “Gelato” when you visit Vancouver

And to that I say: Sure is. Yup. Of course not…but you should make room for Gelato. 

What would make an “I hate the cold” kinda gal like me change my tune for an ice cold treat? James Coleridge.
 

The 52-year old Gelato maker is the owner and founder of Bella Gelataeria in Vancouver. Finding him is easy follow the line that runs into a shop on the waterfront. Notice the drool on the lips of the people going in and the smiles on the faces of those leaving. 

Also notice that no container has less than two scoops.
 

This despite the fact that the establishment is only a year old and scoops cost about twice what you’d pay the ice cream man.
 

But one taste of the stuff and you understand.
 

My six-year old son Cameron was a non-believer until Coleridge offered him up the chance to sample his latest batch straight from the mixer.

 

Cam was on board until he heard the flavour: Caramel.  Not. Interested.
 

We pushed and eventually he cautiously peeked his tongue out between his lips and took the tiniest taste from the taster spoon. That’s when his eyes turned to saucers, his smile stretched across his face and the spoon went clean.
 

That good.
 

And good for you. Coleridge says that compared to the 28% fat in ice cream, gelator weighs in with only 7%! That’s right: you can have four scoops for the fat content cost of one!

But it’s the taste that will really grab you. Coleridge has been known to spend 15 hour days hand crafting his flavours with Tahitian vanilla pods, Chocolate from Madagascar and more.  And his skills are hard come by: He is the first (and only) person outside of Italy to be recognized by the Carpigiani Group as a “Gelato pioneer.” In fact, he’ll compete on behalf of Canada in the 2012 Gelato World Cup this January.

You won’t find this stuff anywhere outside of Vancouver but believe me it is worth the trip. 

Just ask these guys.

 

For more information visit www.bellagelateria.com (@bellagelateria) and for other Vancouver hotspots visit www.tourismvancouver.com