PRODUCELOVE: A sweet way to celebrate Earth Day (all month long)!

The ‘ProduceLove’ Team in Action! (photo by Tomoko Matsubayashi).

GelatoLove and ProduceGood have partnered again to present ProduceLove, a new gelato line that uses recovered fruit from San Diego orchards to create a special dessert for Earth Month. Both GelatoLove Crema al Limone (Lemon Custard) and the dairy free Lemon Sorbet are made from fruits gleaned by Produce Good and private donors (Walton Organic Lemon Farm and Pete Anderson). They will be available for purchase both at the Carlsbad Village GelatoLove Store and online for next day delivery. The proceeds from this special Gelato Sale, will benefit ProduceGood gleaning programs, which rescue 10 tons of edible produce a month to feed the hungry. When 40% of all food is wasted and 1 in 3 San Diegans is food insecure, buying some ProduceLove gelato is a sweet way to help people and our planet! 

ProduceGood, a non-profit that reduces waste and hunger by connecting surplus produce to food insecurity in San Diego County. “San Diego may be one of the most desirable places to live on Earth, but something’s not completely right when 1 in 3 people are food insecure and 40% of all food goes to waste”, said Nita Kurmins Gilson, Co-Executive Director of ProduceGood. “Every day we recover 650 pounds of fruits and veggies from local farms, orchards and farmers markets that would otherwise go to waste and we deliver that to local feeding agencies. I love the idea of turning our citrus into a special gelato that will also benefit the community. The proceeds raised during this Earth Month will allow us to serve even more people.”

Today ProduceGood has expanded to over 2,500 volunteers, who have harvested over 805,000 pounds of fruit from over 350 growers in North San Diego County. The latest program, Market Share, gives the opportunity to recover unsold produce from weekly Farmers Markets, delivering the bounty to local food pantries.  

GelatoLove is a gelato venture that provides a healthier choice of high-quality Italian artisan gelato made with only the best natural ingredients.

“I am so inspired by the work ProduceGood does for the San Diego community, which is why I am thrilled to be partnering with them again to help give back to our environment and create a new tasty gelato for the public to enjoy,” said Paola Richard, CEO and Founder of GelatoLove. “We hope the community can join us by ordering online (www.gelato.love) and visiting our store in Carlsbad Village to celebrate the partnership, give back to ProduceGood and have some yummy gelato on a beautiful spring day.” 

GelatoLove is the first gelato maker in the world to make a low sugar gelato made with a revolutionary ingredient, allulose—a non-GMO, FDA approved and rare low-calorie natural sugar that tastes just like the sugar you already know and love. Allulose is found in fruits like figs and kiwis and won’t lead to a sugar crash. GelatoLove also uses all natural ingredients like the best quality non-treated California milk and cream, a supreme cacao and cocoa butter, exquisite nuts, and fragrant coffee beans. GelatoLove contains half the fat and 80% less calories compared to regular ice cream, which makes it a healthy alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth. All recipes are gluten free and vegan options are available. 

HOW TO SUPPORT PRODUCELOVE EARTH MONTH PROJECT

Donate online to ProduceGood or become a volunteer https://producegood.org

GelatoLove craft gelato made with ProduceGood recovered citrus is now available:

GelatoLove Store – 300 Carlsbad Village Dr Ste 104, Carlsbad CA 92008

Online Store for next day doorstep delivery https://www.gelato.love/shop-gelato

Thank you for the amazing Organic Lemons to:

• ProduceGood

• Walton Organic Lemon Farm, San Marcos

• Pete Anderson, Carlsbad

Is Gelato a Men’s or Women’s World?

International Women’s Day is March 8th.

Gelato History started in Italy as a definite men’s realm and creation. Just to mention one: it was the eclectic genius Architect Bernardo Buontalenti from Florence who first created Modern Gelato. In 1500 Buontalenti designed buildings, theaters, gardens and the first refrigerated rooms made of wood and cork. He was also a fine mathematician, but maybe his most interesting invention was modern Gelato. It was made with with ice, salt (to lower the temperature), lemon, sugar, egg, honey, milk and a drop of wine. This creation was meant to be served at the Renaissance Court of Grand Duke Cosimo de’ Medici. So, a man started the Gelato World, but we must add that at the same time, it was Caterina De’ Medici, a woman, who brought gelato to fame. Not so long after this gelato first appearance, she’s the one who offered this amazing dessert at the Court of France as an ultimate gift from the Italian Renaissance. 

The contemporary world of gelato is orchestrated by many talented men and women and certainly appreciated in the feminine world. On this subject, GelatoLove is maybe an interesting example: not only the Company was founded and owned by women since 2014, but it’s also run by a Team made of 70% women. They make gelato, pastries and cakes, help manage the store, design our communication, make espresso and serve our customers. And there’s more… A funny figure about GelatoLove ‘Lovers’ is that 70% of our customers (both online and in person) are actually women.

Do men dislike Gelato? Or is it the women choosing and buying for them? The answer is up to you… We believe Gelato is for everyone!!!

Most of all let us all enjoy (men and women) a Gelato Discount! Paola Richard, founder and majority owner of GelatoLove, invites all genders to celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Meet Hanna, GelatoLove Store Assistant Manager

Hanna Seeman, Assistant Manager at GelatoLove.

Holding a Dual citizenship for the United States and Switzerland, artist Hanna Seemann appreciates different languages and cultures.

While pursing her fine art degree, she found herself in Florence Italy, learning in the heart of the Renaissance. Here she fell in love not only the Italian art, but the language and cuisine. She loves cooking (and eating!) anything Italian: from Risotto alla Milanese to Bomboloni alla Crema.

At GelatoLove she is enthusiastic about the variety flavors to share, as well as  the variety of people she gets to meet. We never heard anyone describing Gelato Flavors as well as she does. Her words can re-design the exact tasting pattern of food in your palate. You definitely want to listen to her gelato flavors recommendations!

If she doesn’t know how to say ‘Hi’ in a language, you can always teach her. Hanna is fluent in English, Swiss German and Italian. When she’s not at the store, she’s probably up in the air practicing her favorite sport: Aerial Gymnastics.

Meet Luca, our Director of Operations.

Luca Guerzoni, Director of Operations at GelatoLove.

Passionate Surfer and Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), Luca Guerzoni is originally from Milan, Italy. After moving to California in 2014, he deepened his knowledge in wellness arts with the Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathy in Encinitas and he also holds a three-year course diploma as Naturopathic Practitioner in Italy.

Expert in food industry management, Luca is now Director of Operations and Manager at GelatoLove. Yes, he’s the one that makes the ‘magic’ happen inside and outside the kitchen.

He claims he has learned his barista’s skills from the Italian Cappuccino World Champion Rubens Gardelli… we just know his cappuccino and latte are to die for. 

When COVID emergency hit California, Luca resumed his Italian experience as a moped postman. Thanks to his organizing talent GelatoLove was able to quickly set up our current and much-loved Gelato Delivery System.

If you see our GelatoLove magic van in your neighborhood, wave at Luca as he’s probably driving…

GelatoLove Delivery Magic Van.

Find out how our Gelato is made!

Have you ever wondered what gelato is? How is it different than ice cream? What sets our gelato apart from all the other gelato in the world? In this post, we will break down our gelato making process and explain what makes our gelato so unique and healthy. Read on to find out more!

Step 1: Source the Ingredients

We use only high quality non-treated California milk and cream as the base for our dairy gelato flavors. We currently supply our dairy from Hollandia a family owned company based in the San Diego North County in San Marcos since 1950. Hollandia Dairy Farm is also Certified Humane®, with unquestionable, passionate and ethical treatment of their animals. Our nut and oat milks are made in house with organic ingredients. We use them in many of our non-dairy gelato flavors. We source fresh, seasonal produce from local farmers such as Aviara Farms, that also runs the famous Carlsbad Strawberry Company. Exquisite pistachio and hazelnut pure pastes are imported from Italy. The finest chocolate drops come from Belgium.

Step 2: Our Secret Ingredient (besides Love!)

Our gelato is set apart from the rest by the sugar we use. Allulose is a a natural, non-GMO sugar derived from fruits such as kiwis, figs, and raisins. Unlike other natural and synthetic sweeteners, allulose tastes and functions just like regular sugar. Yet it contains only 10% of the calories of sucrose (regular sugar), and does not trigger a glycemic response in the body. We are proud to be the first company in the world to use allulose in our gelato, giving the gelato a lighter, healthier feel, with the same rich taste.

Step 3: How We Make It

We hand make all of our gelato in small batches at our state-of-the-art facility in Carlsbad. Our Italian gelato chef chops all of the fruit by hand, grinds the coffee beans and mixes the nuts, and adds all of the ingredients to our high quality gelato machines imported from Italy. The machine churns out the perfect, creamy-consistency gelato, that incorporates 50% less air than ice cream. Gelato has a dense texture and it is super rich in flavor. We arrange it the traditional way in metal pans with beautiful assortments of fruits, nuts, or cookies on top. The pans are then stored in our walk-in freezer, which is specially designed to maintain the perfect temperature for storing gelato, which is served between 7 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit (regular ice cream is served between 0 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit).

Step 4: How We Serve It

Gelato is served with a paddle which is better designed to work with the creamier texture of gelato than the traditional ice cream scoop. This also means you have much more freedom to choose your number of flavors, since we don’t measure quantities in number of scoops. We allow you to taste up to 3 flavors, even in a small size cup! Because gelato is richer, creamier, and has less air than ice cream, you don’t have to eat as much to feel satisfied.

Come Visit Us!

Come visit our tasting room and watch our gelato makers at work. Our state-of-the-art facilities are located in the Food District at Carlsbad Gateway Center in Carlsbad, CA. Ceiling-height windows into our production space offer visitors a rare peek at the gelato making process.  Stop by to see where the magic happens and taste some of our freshly made flavors!

Make a Gelato Cake with Us!

Join Paola on Saturday August 29 at 11am for this Zoom event in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Center of San Diego: learn how to make and decorate an impressive and refreshing Gelato Cake!

Virtually visit an authentic Artisan Gelato Lab and learn how to make and decorate gelato layered cakes. You will be guided by GelatoLove founder Paola Richard in a wonderful hands-on experience from the comfort of your kitchen. Have two flavors of your favorite gelato available. You will need 4 pints total, 2 of each flavor.

The workshop is free, please consider a donation to fully support ICC when you sign up.

You may purchase GelatoLove pints to be delivered to your home before the workshop for a special ICC price. Order by Wednesday August 26.

Discount code for 15% off is ICCGELATOLOVE and free delivery with $30 purchase.

What you will need to build your cake:

4 gelato pints total, 2 of each flavor

Cake mold ring (6 inches)

Cake collar (3 inches tall)

Spatulas including a cake icing spatula

A box of shortbread cookies, gluten free if you prefer.

Butter (1 stick)

Whipped cream, fresh fruit, chocolate to decorate the top

A 2-3 inch tall ribbon (optional)

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Please sign up by Wednesday August 26 and you will get a Zoom link for the workshop. If you are ordering from GelatoLove, please order by Wednesday August 26 so you will receive your gelato pints home by Friday.

If you want to just observe without making along, you can! We will send recipes with step-by-step instructions to all participants for your future gelato cake creations.

ABOUT THE TEACHER:

Paola Richard – GelatoLove Founder and CEO

Paola has worn many professional hats in her lifetime, from wildlife journalist to information officer and campaign coordinator for national and international organizations—including the UN—to gelato store owner.

Paola’s previous experience owning and operating Gaia Gelato in Carlsbad, CA was the inspiration for GelatoLove. She saw a need in the food community for a healthier choice of high-quality artisan gelato made with only the best natural ingredients.

GelatoLove combines Paola’s passion for the environment, people, and the delicious food traditions of her native Italy.

Check out our homemade gelato catering options!

Corporate gelato events

Whether you are working from home or in person, GelatoLove has a sweet solution for your needs. We are now delivering homemade gelato containers to companies for in person meetings and events, and to employees’ homes who are working remotely. We can set up delivery on a recurring basis, so your break room is always stocked with our healthy, artisan Italian ice cream. Whatever your company needs, we can work with you to find a custom solution so your staff always has a sweet treat to enjoy!
Check out Innovate 78 blog post detailing the unique ways we’ve been able to provide gelato during the pandemic! 

Homemade gelato catering

Here at GelatoLove, we know that gelato is synonymous with a good time. Beach, garden, office, ballroom, public spaces: we can start the party anywhere! No matter what type of event you’re hosting, your guests will love cooling off with some of our natural, artisan gelato. We can offer everything from single serve homemade gelato containers to an Authentic Italian ice cream Bar Station with two expert baristas who serve your guests for the duration of the party. Set up, clean up, transportation, and supplies are always included. We serve San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles Areas. Cost is entirely dependent on your needs, so please contact us and give us some information about your event and we will get back to you with a quote.

How is Gelato different from Ice Cream?

WHAT IS GELATO?

Gelato is the traditional Italian Ice Cream. The word “gelato” comes from the Latin word “gelatus” meaning “frozen.” Ancient Asians and Egyptians made the earliest forms of gelato by combining snow with honey and fruit. This cold treat eventually made its way to Sicily, where it was transformed into a luxuriously creamy dish.

Gelato’s modern incarnation flourished during the Italian Renaissance period, spreading throughout Europe and gaining popularity wherever it was found.

HOW IS GELATO DIFFERENT FROM ICE CREAM?

Gelato contains on average 1/3 less sugar than ice cream and half the fat. Thanks to cutting-edge research efforts GelatoLove is remarkably made with 80% less sugar than regular ice cream.

American ice cream contains up to 60% more air than gelato does.

Ice cream is served between 0 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit; whereas gelato is served between 7 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that gelato doesn’t numb the mouth as much as ice cream, allowing the taste buds a fuller flavor experience.

Gelato does melt a lot faster than ice cream. Make sure you have a cooler when you buy gelato to go.

Gelato is served with a paddle which is better designed to work with the creamier texture of gelato than the traditional ice cream scoop.
 

IS GELATO A HEALTHIER CHOICE?

Artisan gelato’s richer taste and more luxurious texture belies the fact that it’s a healthier option compared to regular ice cream.

Gelato is a natural food made with essential nutritional elements. The ingredients that give GelatoLove its exceptional flavor and creamy texture and nutritional profile, contribute to a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.

Remarkably, GelatoLove contains half the fat and a fraction of the calories compared to regular ice cream. The nutritional value ranges between 30 calories per 100 gram serving for Sorbets up to a maximum of 160 calories per 100 gram serving for the richer flavors like Chocolate and Pistachio. Gelato can also be made with high quality non-dairy ingredients so that everyone can enjoy it!

Because gelato is richer, creamier, and has less air than ice cream, you don’t have to eat as much to feel satisfied.

WHAT IS SORBET (SORBETTO IN ITALIAN)?

Sorbetto is a type of gelato made from fresh fruit and no dairy. The word "sorbet" or “sherbet” is possibly derived from the Arabic word "sharbah" (syrup), but the root is also present in the Greek and Persian languages. The first sorbet was made of fruit syrup, sugar, salt and snow.

WHAT DOES ‘ARTISAN GELATO’ MEAN?

GelatoLove is handmade daily, batch by batch, with fresh ingredients by dessert artists who have dedicated their lives to producing only the purest, most captivating flavors. Gelato creation is an art that requires a delicate balance of technique and science. Our Gelato Lab in Carlsbad is equipped with traditional gelato machines imported from Italy. 

Commercial Gelato Brands manufacture their products using large scale continuous freezing equipment and processed ingredients. Today, Italy is the only country where the market share of handmade artisan gelato is over 55% versus industrial one. 

WHERE DO WE SUPPLY OUR INGREDIENTS

We are proud partners of Hollandia Dairy, a local company based in San Marcos that provides us with Fresh Milk and Cream.

Pistachio and Almond nuts come from Sicily, while Hazelnuts are from Northern Italy (Piemonte Region).

Our famous Double Chocolate is made with original Belgian Chocolate.

We make our own fresh mascarpone in house. We use it in flavors like Tiramisu and Mascarpone & Berries.

We support local farmers by buying seasonal fruits from Aviara Farms in Carlsbad including the legendary Carlsbad Strawberries.

We also collaborate with Specialty Produce in San Diego.

WHAT KIND OF MILK SUBSTITUTE DO WE USE IN DAIRY FREE GELATO?

We mostly use homemade Oat Milk for our dairy-free creamy flavors. Sometimes homemade Cashew milk is used too.

ORDERING GELATO IN A GELATERIA?

As Italians traditionally use a paddle to build your serving, you may order gelato by number of flavors in different sizes, rather than number of scoops.

WHAT IS ALLULOSE?

We are the first Company in the world to ever offer traditional Italian Flavors of Gelato made with the most innovative and completely natural fruit sugar called Allulose. We are now able to make our ‘guilt-free dessert’ with this revolutionary sweetener found in fruits like kiwis, jackfruits and figs. While allulose provides the same sweet taste, texture, and other technical attributes as table sugar, it is not metabolized as energy in the body. Therefore, it provides a minor number of calories and does not impact blood glucose levels. Allulose is scientifically proven to improve sugar metabolism in your body.

Doing Good Never Tasted So Good!

Promoting on NBC San Diego our Fundraiser Event on Aug 3 Carlsbad Village 12-3pm.

San Diego may be one of the most desirable places to live on Earth, but something’s not completely right when 1 in 6 people go to bed hungry every night and 40% of all food goes to waste. GelatoLove, and  ProduceGood,  are looking to change this situation.  GelatoLove is a gelato venture that provides a healthier choice of high-quality Italian artisan gelato, made with only the best natural ingredients. ProduceGood  is a non-profit that reduces waste and hunger by connecting surplus produce to food insecurity in San Diego County. They have teamed up to host “Doing Good Never Tasted So Good” on Saturday, August 3 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the GelatoLove Carslbad location (300 Carlsbad Village Dr. Ste 104, Carlsbad, CA 92008). ProduceGood has provided GelatoLove with 100 pounds of ruby grapefruit, which were harvested from Reed Ranch in Escondido. GelatoLove will use these grapefruits to create a never before made grapefruit gelato that will only be available at the event. The event is free and open to the public and a portion of all sales will go back to ProduceGood.

There will be live music and a raffle with prizes from @patagonia , @callawaygolf, @kashi, @bakerandolive, @wyshsandiego, @thesockdistrict, @equipmentandconcepts , and @gelatolovecalifornia.

GelatoLove joins DineLocalSD Podcast

GelatoLove’s Paola Richard shares what makes our gelato special during her guest appearance on Specialty Produce Network’s DineLocalSD Podcast.

March 25 2019

GelatoLove’s Paola Richard shares what makes our gelato special during her guest appearance on Specialty Produce Network’s DineLocalSD Podcast. Click Here to Watch

GelatoLove Launch Party in Carlsbad

Low-sugar gelato-tasting lab and shop opens in Carlsbad

December 18 2018

Read the full article on The San Diego Union Tribune