Today is the day of artisanal ice cream, and the flavor of the year is "Melody" with orange and pistachio.

Returning today, March 24, throughout Europe, is the European Day of Artisan Gelato. This initiative, the only occasion that the European Parliament has dedicated to a food item, reaches its fourteenth edition.

As every year, the event involves gelato shops, master gelato makers, and enthusiasts with the aim of promoting the culture of traditional gelato, the artisan know-how, and the gastronomic excellence of the continent.

This new edition will also contribute to enhancing Italian cuisine and its food customs, recognized by Unesco as intangible cultural heritage.

Melody inspired by Eurovision

For 2026, Gelato Day is inspired by the theme “The Gelato that Makes Europe Sing”, a symbolic bridge between taste and music in homage to the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to take place in Vienna from May 12 to 16, 2026.

Across the continent, the occasion will be accompanied by a packed schedule of initiatives featuring sales points, cold artisans, and the public.

Tuesday, March 24, the official day of the European Day of Artisan Gelato, gelato makers will present the flavor of the year at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests.

The flavor of the year

The star will be the Flavor of the Year 2026, “Melody”, a creation that evokes the idea of a musical score: creamy base, pistachio swirl, crunchy bits of the same nut, and an orange sauce, designed to add a citrusy and bright note.

The official recipe is signed by master gelato maker Juanma Guerrero, from the gelateria “Sicilia Gelati” in Torre del Mar (Malaga), winner of the competition organized by Artglace during the last edition of Sigep World – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence.

The flavor “Melody” will be offered in participating gelaterias both in the original version, according to the codified formula, and in personal interpretations by the masters, inspired by the ingredients and flavors of their respective territories.

Gelaterias in Sicily

In Sicily, two ice cream shops have been awarded by Gambero Rosso with the highest recognition of Three Cones: Cappadonia in Palermo and Sikè in Milazzo. A special award goes to "L'artigianale" in Pozzallo for enhancing the supply chain. 

A three billion euro business. And it's growing

If the sector related to Italian ice cream production, including ingredients, machinery, and display technologies, has reached 4.9 billion euros, the artisanal product leads the supply chain, having reached 3 billion euros with an estimated growth of 4%. On the day when Europe celebrates Artisan Gelato, the Host 2027 Observatory, the platform for hospitality, out-of-home dining, and food retail, is launching from this sector, with its next edition taking place at Fiera Milano from October 22 to 26, 2027.

Italy is the European leader in artisanal gelato with over 600 million servings sold annually and a per capita consumption of about 2 kg. National production is worth 3.1 billion euros, with exports amounting to 2.4 billion euros (+8.1% by 2025). This vitality goes hand in hand with the performance of ice cream shops, which, according to Fipe data, recorded a 4.5% increase in visits and a 15.3% increase in value in January 2026. In the January-March 2026 quarter, 7,650 new hires are also expected in these establishments.