Taste-Worthy: Ciao Bella Gelato & Sorbet

While living in San Francisco for 3 years, I was introduced to many kick-ass things – one of said things being Ciao Bella Gelato. Visiting the Ferry Building Farmers’ Market numerous times, my husband and I would often walk by CBG’s Gelato Bar. The ironic part? I never actually stopped and bought any gelato. Ever. Each time, I’d say, “I’ve had enough sugar today. I’ll get some next time.”

Do you do that? Assume you have all the time in the world & put off doing or visiting things that interest you?

Fast forward to currently living in Connecticut again & I’m shopping at the grocery store. I’d become quite enamored with a gelato/sorbet company from Rhode Island. On that particular day, the store was out of the chocolate version I was craving, so I had to find something else. I’d been meaning to try Ciao Bella for the longest time (3 years to be exact), so I decided to take the plunge.

To quell my craving, the Chocolate Sorbetto was a must. I also snapped up a pint of Blood Orange Sorbetto in anticipation of future citrus desires. Ironically, I opened up the Blood Orange Sorbetto first & I’m glad I did. It’s phenomenal! Light and tangy with just enough tart punch from the citrus flavor. Major yum. The perfect addition to a hot summer day or paired with some fresh vanilla cupcakes.

It wasn’t long before I delved into the Chocolate Sorbetto as well. I was surprised to find a chocolate sorbet; usually, all I see are chocolate gelatos, which are quite good. In my 25 years, I haven’t found a chocolate ice cream that is dark enough since most are made from milk chocolate.

This is THE DARKEST chocolate frozen treat I’ve ever seen. I LOVE IT! I know, it sounds a bit melodramatic to love chocolate sorbet, but I do … I can’t hide it. The Chocolate Sorbetto solves my craving for chocolate while keeping me from eating too much. This stuff is so dark that I can’t eat more than 1/4th of a pint at once. Saves money, saves calories, but I still get my chocolate fix – sweet.

These treats are almost perfect. The issue I have? Some of them contain corn syrup (not as bad as high fructose corn syrup, but still a bit nasty). The solution? The folks at Ciao Bella have informed me that they’ve already begun replacing all the corn syrup in their recipes with tapioca syrup – hooray!

With two successful taste tests under my (still-slim) belt, I’ve already begun a list of other Ciao Bella flavors I hope to try: Strawberry White Tea Sorbetto; Banana Mango Sorbetto; Chocolate (West African) Gelato; Chocolate Chip Gelato; Cool Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato; and Malted Milk Ball Gelato – I’ve already got this one in my freezer. Just the name of it reminds me of lazy school-day afternoons with my dad, snacking on malted milk balls while we watched Batman cartoons.

Just last week, Ciao Bella shared some new developments with all theirs fans. SIX new flavors & BRAND NEW PACKAGING for 2010 was announced at Boston’s Natural Products Expo East.

The new flavors: Peach Ginger Sorbetto, Prickly Pear Sorbetto, Wild Blueberry Sorbetto, Strawberry Sorbetto, Matcha Green Tea Gelato, and Honey Toasted Pecan Gelato. I want to try them all!

The two cartons above are a peak at what the new cartons out next year. Including a new look, Ciao Bella has made a few other changes: plastics lids are now paper, tamper seal seals have been added, and all of Ciao Bella’s products are now kosher (free of corn syrup, refined sugar, and synthetic hormones). Happy dance!

Visit Ciao Bella’s website for local grocery stores & gelato bars!

[Images courtesy of Ciao Bella Gelato]