Gelato Updates

I've been on the gelato hunt for awhile now.  Based on what I've learned, you can judge the quality of the gelato by looking at its' display.  If the gelateria piles their gelato, then its most likely made from powder.  Also, if they have many many flavors, its rare that the gelato will be homemade fresh.  And a note to myself: if the gelateria is located near or on a very well-known touristy street, its most likely to be overpriced and not that great.  So far, I've tried seven different gelato places and here's my review on all of them:

Gelateria Santa Trinita:
The first gelato I've had in Italia.  For two scoops at a price of 1.8 euros, this place is a must go!  Be sure to try the Buona al Mascarpone--a cream flavored gelato.  I usually don't like anything too creamy but the Buona al Mascarpone is just right: not too creamy but not too opposite of creamy.  This place is supposedly where the first gelato flavor--the Buona al Mascarpone--was created (according to my tour guide).  They offer a variety of flavors at a great price!

My roomies' gelato: Vaniglia and Buona al Mascarpone.

Random Gelato shop next to my apartment:
The worst gelato I've had.  Not to mention that it was 2 euros for only one measly scoop!  I got the mango flavor and it was definitely made from powder!  The place is not even worth noting its' name not to mention that I forgot the name anyways.

Another Gelateria that I forgot the name of: 
I don't think this was a "real" gelateria which is probably why their gelato was meh.  Its also located at the corner of Via dei Calzaiuoli, which is a very touristy street filled with designer shops and overpriced ristorantes!  I got the banana flavor (I was really craving some Coldstone's banana ice cream!) but it was just meh.  2 euros for just one scoop of meh gelato?!??  That's definitely not my cupatea.

Grom:
This place was recommended in almost every guidebook I've read.  I finally managed to find it after searching intensely for two days!  But after trying their gelato, I can see why its a must-go.  This gelateria offers several regular flavors and offers new "seasonal/monthly" flavors.  I tried the Tiramisu and Menta&Cioccolata (mint chocolate chip) flavors, both of which were monthly flavors.  Grom is located really close to Il Duomo but since its on a small side street, its a little difficult to find.  The place looks like an authentic gelateria: its small and their gelato is placed in small metal containers with lids rather than colorfully displayed.  But its popularity may have led to inflated prices.  The cost is 2.5 euros for two scoops a la coppetta piccola (small cup).

Flavors: Tiramisu and Menta&Cioccolata

Gelateria Perchè No?:
By far my favorite gelateria.  I've been here about four times (its conveniently located right next to my apartment).  And the place offers a cute little porch-like sitting place to enjoy your gelato.  For 2 euros, you get two scoops of deliciously homemade fresh gelato.  It even offers vegan flavors.  I highly recommend the Niccolata (Hazelnut) flavor. c:  And on a side note, one of the workers there is pretttttty cuuute (which is probably why I go there so often!).  Its a bit too pricey for me to indulge in gelato that often but the quality of the gelato is totally worth it!  And the name, Perchè No?, literally translating to Why not? is a cute moniker.  Perchè no try this gelateria?

Flavors: Cioccolata and Niccolata. c: 

La Carraia Gelateria:
This place was recommended by another student who's been studying in Firenze for roughly 6-7 months now.  They offer a good deal: 1 euro for a single scoop cone!  I've been here twice and both times I've tried fruity flavors.  The first flavor was the Frutti di Bosco, which is a mixture of various berries.  It had too many seeds for my taste but I guess that's how you can tell its freshly homemade?  The second time around, I got the tropicale flavor which is a mixture of various tropical fruits.  It. Was. Delicious.  Its a ways away from my apartment but I'm willing to make the trek if I can get gelato for just 1 euro.  This place is also both my roomies' favorite gelateria.  They both enjoy the Yogurt flavor but I wasn't too big a fan but then again, I don't care too much for creamy things.

Flavors (from Top to Bottom Right): Pesca (Peach), Tropicale, and Yogurt.

Antica Gelateria Florentina:
This place was recommended by a "local" Korean Florentine.  Its your stereotypical Italian gelateria, opening whenever the owner feels like it (just kidding! but really late in the day) and offering a smaller selection.  When I got there around 8 p.m., they had already run out of the pistachio and melone flavors which I can only assume means that they make the flavors fresh every morning!  And to top things off, they offer pretty cool flavors that I haven't seen in any other gelateria like litchi (lychee) and matcha (green tea)!  But my favorite part about this place is the 2 scoops for just 1 euro!

Flavors: Litchi (Lychee) and Fragola (Strawberry). c: