Gelato 'buono' for the palette

Date: 5/4/2009

By Ashlene Ferris

Staff Intern



EAST LONGMEADOW - Refresh your palette with a cup of homemade gelato - it's "buono" for your health.

Gelato Buono, a quaint cafe on Shaker Road, serves an Italian alternative to American ice cream.

Doug Bender, co-owner of Gelato Buono, said business is better than he and his three business partners were anticipating.

"Everyone in East Longmeadow has been so nice and gracious to us, and our reputation grows our business," he said. "We have been welcomed to the town with open arms and our location is perfect."

The Italian ice cream (gelato) and sorbet (sorbetto) are made fresh daily.

Unlike American ice cream, gelato is made with milk, skim milk powder and a small amount of cream. It contains half the fat content of regular ice cream, but a full serving of flavor.

"We played with different recipes to find the perfect taste," Bender explained. "We decided to make the recipe less sweet by adding more skim milk powder, which increases the flavor by 15 percent. With our gelato you taste the flavor first, texture next and finally the cold."

"I think it's going to be an asset to the town," Michael Przybylowicz, vice chair of the Planning Board, said. "I'm sure it's going to provide great service and great products ... It's going to be compatible for the area."

Italian cookies, chocolates, espresso, cappuccino and coffee are also available for purchase.

Gelato Buono, 32 Shaker Rd., is open from noon to 9 p.m. seven days a week.