European Artisanal Gelato Day, celebrated annually throughout Europe on March 24th to promote artisanal craftsmanship and support the production of quality artisanal gelato, has become a fixed date that marks the official start of the season for enjoying one of the world’s most loved treats. Preparations for this ninth edition of Gelato Day, the only date that European Parliament has chosen to dedicate to a food product, have been driven by a desire among gelato artisans to get back to work and not be held back by a season that has been severely compromised by the health emergency, while conveying a message of courage, hope and unshakeable creativity.

As a result, Gelato Day 2021 will be packed with innovations, starting with the official flavour for this year’s edition.

FLAVOUR OF THE YEAR 2021. A recurring feature of Gelato Day is the “Flavour of the Year”, which is selected each year by a different European nation and sold on March 24th in all participating gelato and ice cream parlours. Following the yogurt-flavoured gelato with strawberry marbling picked by the Netherlands for the 2020 edition, Mantecado, selected by Spain, is to be the featured flavour for 2021. Inspired by a traditional vanilla cream, Mantecado features orange marbling and is topped with shavings of dark chocolate, making it an ideal representation of the culinary traditions of a country that has been at the crossroads of culture and cuisine for centuries. In fact, vanilla owes its name to the Spanish Conquistadors, and it was the Spanish who first brought chocolate to Europe. Spain is also Europe’s leading producer of oranges (with 3.4 million metric tons harvested in 2019) and is one of the world’s leading exporters. At once bitter and sweet, creamy and crunchy, Mantecado plays with contrast to find just the right balance to win over even the most demanding gelato enthusiasts and to inspire the creativity of gelato artisans, who will be offering up their unique interpretations of this Flavour of the Year using their own local ingredients.

Indeed, gelato is a treat that is able to unify Europe by promoting the agriculture of each of its member states.

THE HYBRID PHYSICAL-DIGITAL 2021 EDITION. Never like this year has artisanal gelato served as a symbol of unity among all citizens of Europe, who have come together to face the health emergency that continues to affect Europe and the world. Gelato artisans, though, have not stood idly by in these times and have found new, all-digital ways of bringing their art to all who love quality gelato.

As a result, after a 2020 edition that was, for the first time in its history, entirely virtual in many nations due to the lockdown, Gelato Day 2021 will be both physical and digital, with cones or cups of gelato being ordered from the gelato or ice cream parlour then delivered directly into the home. This will be made possible with the help of Deliveroo, Europe’s leading online food-delivery platform and a supporter of European Artisanal Gelato Day 2021. As has become tradition, Gelato Day will also include contests, masterclasses and other (virtual and in-person) promotions and events throughout Europe to promote a culture of artisanal gelato and handcrafted ice cream.

More information on the ninth edition of Gelato Day will be made available on the website www.gelato-day.com and on the official Gelato Day Facebook page (@24MarzoEuropeanGelatoDay) and Instagram feed (@Gelato_Day).

European Artisanal Gelato Day was first created by Longarone Fiere and Artglace, and the 2021 edition features partnerships with the Italian National Association of Gelato Machinery, Fixtures and Fittings Manufacturers (ACOMAG), the Italian Gelato Makers’ Association, CNA, the Campania Committee of Gelato Makers, Confartigianato, the Gelato section of the Italian Confederation of Pastry Chefs (Conpait), the Italian Gelato Makers Federation, the National Committee for the Defense and Dissemination of Artisanal and Own-brand Gelato (GA), Artisanal Gelato Makers of the Triveneto Region (GAT), Masters of Italian Gelato, Ilgelatoartigianale.info, and the Italian Exhibition Group’s International Exhibition of Handcrafted Gelato, Pastries, Chocolates, Baked Goods and Coffee (SIGEP).

The creators and partners invite all gelato artisans throughout Italy and Europe to take part in the 2021 edition of Gelato Day by signing up at www.gelato-day.it and indicating all of the events planned for this most delectable day of the year.