Chapel of the Princes

Florence, Italy

It’s summertime, and the living is….HOT!  Hot enough to melt! The temperatures have been soaring. So, the idea of something cold and refreshing seemed timely, especially something cool and creamy…like gelato from a gelateria in Florence, Italy that’s been around since 1939.

A few years ago, I was introduced to Gelateria Perchè no!… (which means Why not!…in Italian). It’s located Via dei Tavolini 19r and has been a favorite in Florence since before World War II.  Mr. Ugo Ravaioli, the founder and for decades the owner of Perchè no!…, believed this to be an ideal location.

Paradoxically, it was due to the shortage of raw materials for making ice cream and whipped cream during the war that lead to Mr. Ravaioli’s inventiveness to create a special formula for this delightful treat consisting of egg whites and cream as well as its semifreddo texture. This gelato is the perfect balance of sweetness. And, it’s not too wet. Add to all of that its extreme creaminess, and you might think you’re in heaven.

Treasured by its faithful clients–both famous and local, Perchè no!… has survived a war as well as the disastrous Florence flood of 1966 and continues to be a success today.  If you visit this wonderful gelateria with its beautiful marble mosaic floor, make sure to taste Crema, cooked in the old way with lemon rinds and vanilla and the Pistacchio with natural Sicilian pistachios.  My personal favorite is the curry/mango flavor—yum!  But, honestly, all of their gelati is fantastic!

So, if you’re too hot and feel as though you’re about to melt, you may want to consider this sweet treat or something similar. Just make sure to eat quickly so IT doesn’t melt!  😉

**Avoid the gelaterias with heaping piles of gelato as they are considered to be of inferior quality.