It is cold, but healthy and free-from. It is the gelato of summer 2024, increasingly combining a quest for unusual flavours – the latest cry is herbs and spices – with healthy ingredients such as plant-based alternatives and free-from formulas.

However, traditional local flavours with PDO and PGI ingredients also stand out, alongside functional recipes with probiotics, superfoods, and ‘adaptogens’ (foods that help the body manage stress). Sorbets and single portions are the kings of formats, while the trend of gelato as an ingredient in mixology and gourmet dishes continues.

Speaking of gelato as a protagonist of cocktails and recipes, Emanuela Cipelletti, Sales & Marketing at Frigomat, explains: “In order to broaden our offer, we have been offering for years a range of machines that also allow to make alcoholic gelato. In addition to this, these machines allow you to create everything from slushies to vegan products and classic artisan gelato. Moreover, the entire range uses natural gases to protect the environment”.

New consumer habits are one of the drivers behind Gelmatic’s innovation too, as Valeria Rovetta, Communication Manager, confirms: “The demand for quality gelato leads us to develop machines that guarantee perfect consistency and precise temperature control, which are essential for enhancing flavours and experimenting with creative combinations. We also invest a lot in the experience of related products, such as frozen yoghurt.”

‘Sidekick’ aspects also contribute, and this is confirmed by Martellato: “Gelato tasting is also a moment of conviviality: Martellato is working on proposing a snack to be shared, a product that has no seasonality and that can be interpreted and proposed in several ways, depending on the period and the creativity of the professional. Summer also sees the return of single portions in semifreddo, and Martellato is proposing a line of silicone moulds with many attractively designed models.”

The appointment with all the upcoming trends in the industry is in the dedicated area of Host 2025, at fieramilano in Milan-Rho from 17 to 21 October 2025, as well as in the rich schedule of events.