Exploring Stracciatella: From Italian Soup to Gelato Delight

Stracciatella refers to different Italian culinary specialties. In the context of gelato, it's a vanilla base with chocolate shavings. The term 'stracciatella' comes from the Italian word 'stracciato', meaning 'torn apart' or 'shredded'.

Before becoming a famed gelato flavor, Stracciatella was a Roman soup. This egg-drop soup showcases a broth with beaten eggs and cheese, creating silken strands or 'shreds' which inspired the gelato's chocolate flecks.

Stracciatella gelato differs from ice cream: it's denser, lower in fat, and served slightly warmer. It's crafted with a custard base, sans cream, highlighting the contrasting textures of creamy gelato and crisp chocolate.

The chocolate in Stracciatella gelato isn't merely mixed in. It's drizzled in liquid form into the churning gelato, hardening upon contact and then broken into the characteristic shards that give the gelato its name.

Stracciatella isn't just a gelato flavor. It's also a cheese from Puglia. Made from pulled mozzarella and cream, it's actually the soft, creamy interior of the famous Burrata cheese, offering a rich, buttery taste.

Globally, stracciatella has inspired variations. Some artisans infuse the base with flavors like mint or coffee, while others experiment with different types of chocolate, such as white or dark, and additional ingredients like nuts.

While a treat, Stracciatella gelato can be a healthier alternative to ice cream due to its lower butterfat. However, moderation is key, as it still contains sugar and calories.

An Italian astronaut once took Stracciatella gelato to space, making it the first gelato flavor enjoyed off Earth.