Item: Come il Latte Gelateria
Rating: 5
Author: Beppe Castro

Come il Latte has become my favorite gelato this summer season and I think it might just be the best gelato in Rome, but I plan to keep looking because gelato!

come il latte - Coffee and Zabaione — Coffee & Zabaione

Last summer we were not as focused on finding our favorite gelaterias in Rome as we should have been, so we are making up for it this summer. When you are visiting Rome in the blazing hot months, or even the cooler fall months, it is fortunate that gelato shops can be found on almost every corner in Rome. The gelato shop, known as a gelateria, can vary in quality, reputation and style so I wanted to review some of the most popular and some of my favorites.

I wouldn’t waste time saving yourself for “The Best” gelato in Rome because you might miss out on something amazing that influencers aren’t aware of. It is much more important to avoid some of the more obvious signs of lower quality and try as many gelaterias as you can find. Gelato is amazing and shouldn’t be avoided in an attempt to only find what others consider “the best” gelato in Rome.

What Is Come il Latte Gelateria?

This Gelateria known as Come il Latte seems to have a focus on freshness. They only produce the amount of gelato that they expect will be needed for that day. Their belief is that the fresher the gelato, the better the flavor and texture. One of the other ways they ensure freshness of their gelato is to use a refrigeration system called a Banco a Pozzetti. This reduces the exposure to the light and minimizes the chance of oxidation that might change the gelato’s taste and structure.

Their gelato is made with natural ingredients and does not contain hydrogenated fats, artificial preservatives, colors or antioxidants. Their main ingredient is milk which makes up over 60/70% of cream gelatos. They use high quality raw materials, like milk from the Rome plant, organic eggs and seasonal products. They also select only the best ingredients from around the world, like Bourbon vanilla from the island of Reunion, the best varieties of cocoa from South America, Sicilian pistachios, Tonda Gentile hazelnuts from the Langhe and cinnamon from Ceylon.

The focus on quality and flavors was obvious during our first visit to this gelateria and we look forward to returning soon to try some of their other offerings.

come il latte - The Main Ingredient — The Main Ingredient

Where Is Come il Latte Gelateria?

Come il Latte has only a single location here in Rome. The gelateria can be found at Via Silvio Spaventa, 24/26, which is not far from Termini Station, Porta Pia and just off of via XX Settembre.

How Is Gelato Made In Italy?

There are differences in the ingredients used in Gelato and Ice Cream. For example, in the US, more cream is used and in Italy milk is used to reach a lower fat content. The gelato in Italy also uses more sugar, which is surprising to me because generally things are much sweeter in the US than in Italy. Also, in the US, egg whites can be included, but aren’t part of a typical Italian gelato recipe.

To put some real numbers to it, gelato typically contains 4-8% fat as compared to the 14-16% found in ice cream in the US. Gelato also contains less air than most ice cream and because of this, it is more dense and richer in flavor. Scoop for scoop, you get more gelato and less air than you would when you get ice cream.

come il latte - Outdoor Sign — Outdoor Sign

Why Does Gelato Not Freeze?

Gelato is not made to be completely frozen because it usually isn’t stored, but eaten immediately after ordering it. It CAN freeze, which I can personally attest to after having ordered some gelato to be delivered, but then putting some in the freezer to store overnight. It froze solid, which is different from how it is served in a gelateria. It is just below freezing, very soft and doesn’t last long.

What’s In Gelato Ice Cream?

Gelato is similar to the many types of ice cream across Europe and the US, but it is unique in its own ways. Gelato contains less air, is creamier, sweeter and comes with an amazing range of flavors, like fresh fruit, nuts like Pistachio and many different types of chocolate. There are some gelaterias that go even further than tradition usually allows, but my tastes for delicious gelato lean more to the traditional.

come il latte - Popular Flavors — All Th Popular Flavors

How Much Does Gelato Cost In Rome Italy?

Gelato is very affordable, especially when you are walking around the city experiencing the oppressive Roman heat and Come il Latte Gelateria is no exception. Generally, you can get a small cone for around €3 up to a large cone for around €5 or €6. Their cups are the same price, but their waffle cones made in house are definitely my favorite.

It is common to choose multiple flavors for a single cone or cup and a popular addition is to add whipped cream (panna) on top. I usually skip the panna, but it is a popular addition for many folks.

How To Spot Good Gelato In Rome?

When you are looking for gelato, you should definitely try any place that looks good, but are there some signs of lower quality gelaterias that you should skip? Yes, these are a couple of pointers that you should pay attention to:

Color – The super bright and glowing colors are unnatural and should be avoided. Dull colors are more authentic, like banana gelato that isn’t bright yellow and pistachio flavored that is a very dull gray/green color. These are signs of higher quality.
Container – Plastic bins are a dead giveaway that the quality is low. Only stainless steel bins should be used. In addition, the gelato should NOT be overflowing the container. This is a sure sign that too much air has been whipped into the gelato and is lower in quality. An additional sign of higher quality is that the stainless steel bins have lids on them so they aren’t exposed to the air too much.
Taste – Most importantly, you can usually ask for a small taste to make sure you are choosing something you will enjoy. I heard about a gelateria that uses some strange flavors, like Cacio e Pepe gelato, but doesn’t allow for a taste. I would skip a place like this. Gelaterias are proud of their products and want to make sure that you get what you will like.

come il latte - Milk Everywhere — Milk Everywhere

Is Come il Latte Gelateria The Best Gelato In Rome?

When we went to Come il Latte Gelateria recently, we were both blown away by the amazing flavors. I ordered something I don’t usually get, which was a Zabaione and because combining flavors is typical in Italy, I asked for a recommendation for a pairing and the Sicilian coffee gelato suggested was incredible. I typically do enjoy coffee gelato, but it had such a strong, delightful flavor, that I’ve already been fantasizing about getting a coffee and chocolate combination on my next visit.

We loved this gelateria, and while I normally wouldn’t travel across Rome for gelato because of the high quality available around every corner, I would for this. I strongly suggest stopping by if you are in the neighborhood, and even if you aren’t you should head on over!

More Delicious Italian Food To Consider

If you enjoyed this review of Come il Latte Gelateria and you want to learn about more delicious Italian foods and drinks, here are some additional posts that you might find interesting: