Nuts are a popular snack and an ingredient in both sweet treats and main dishes. If you like to eat nuts, pistachios are one of the healthier options. They are filled with essential nutrients and have a number of health benefits, helping you to control your body weight and lowering your risk for heart problems.  Gelato Petrini makes two delicious flavors using pistachio: Pure Pistachio and Pistachio Cardamom Chip. Call us and reserve a few pints for a delicious indulgence!

Pistachios contain fewer calories and more potassium and vitamin K per serving than other nuts. A 1-ounce serving of dry-roasted pistachios contains 160 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 15 grams of fat, including only 2 grams of saturated fat. It also provides you with 25 percent of the daily value for vitamin B-6, 15 percent of the daily value for thiamine and phosphorus and 10 percent of the daily value for magnesium.

Snacking on pistachios may help lower your cholesterol. Study participants who consumed a low-calorie diet with either 10 percent of their total calories or 20 percent of their total calories in the form of pistachios for four weeks lowered their cholesterol more than participants who followed the Step 1 diet for lowering cholesterol, according to a study published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in September 2008. Pistachios also contain l-arginine, which can make the lining of your arteries more flexible and make it less likely you will develop blood clots that could cause a heart attack, and vitamin E, which makes it less likely your arteries will become clogged with plaque, notes MayoClinic.com.

If you like snacking on nuts, you can control your weight by limiting your portions. The fiber content of the nuts may make them more filling, helping you to eat fewer calories later on in the day. A study published in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition” in June 2010 found that participants who consumed 240 calories worth of pistachios for 12 weeks lowered their body mass indexes and triglyceride levels more than those who consumed 220 calories worth of pretzels.

excerpts taken from http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-eating-pistachios-1507.html

Yes, Gelato gets its own month too and May is National Artisan Gelato Month.  Artisan gelato is gelato made according to traditional Italian recipes produced without using pre-fabricated mixes, powders or bases. Many gelato makers call themselves artisans, but the truth is, adding powders and water into a batch freezer doesn’t qualify as artisan.

At Gelato Petrini, our gelato and sorbets are made using fresh and natural ingredients and NO BASES or POWDER MIXES. Every one of our flavors has been created by our certified gelatiere from scratch and each flavor has its own recipe: that is, we dont create a single base and add flavors. And you can taste the difference!

Some come try our delicious and authentic italian, artisan gelato and sorbets at our factory location in Delray Beach. And, if you are local, free delivery with a 4 pint minimum order is available.

Rebel House in Boca Raton, http://www.lifetastesbetter.com, is now selling our delicious gelato and sorbets.

Try a new flavor: Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip. Its awesome!

Have you ever cut open a pomegranate? Its seeds are so juicy and delicious. But it gets messy at times and cleaning up pomegranate juice is such a pain? So why not get the health benefits of pomegranates by having a cup of our delicious pomegranate sorbet?  Its full of vitamins and anti-oxidents and of course, its 100% natural.

Here are some of the Health Benefits of Pomegranate Gelato

Pomegranate juice is packed with antioxidants, which help rid the body of free radical and can increasing your cardiovascular performance, reduce the risk of cancer, and reduceinflammation.

Laboratory studies have shown that properties in pomegranate juice can increase your heart health by keeping your arteries flexible and decreasing inflammation in the linings of your blood vessels, as well as decreasing and preventing plaque buildup.

Other research has shown that pomegranate juice may actually help induce apoptosis, a process in which cancer cells self-destruct.

Unsweetened pomegranate juice has also been shown to decrease inflammation, the root cause of many chronic diseases. This is likely due to the potent antioxidants found in pomegranates and other brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

So why not get all those benefits by eating a cup (or pint!) of Pomegranate Sorbetto!

Did you know that Gelato Petrini offers portable gelato carts for special events? Chocolate fountains are so passe’! There is no better way to compliment an event with a delicious gelato bar with your favorite flavors, in an authentic Italian gelato showcase and an experienced server?

Gelato Petrini provides the gelato (your choice), authentic Italian gelato showcase (we have different size cases for any size event), authentic Italian scoops, cups and spoons and various types of cones.

For more information, contact Dawn Petrini at dawn@gelatopetrini.com

MAY 20 – Today in Food History

Today is National Quiche Lorraine Day and the day of  St. Bernadine of Siena, patron of advertisers.  (Mauro and Dawn met in Siena)

This week (May 16th to the 27th)  is also International Pickle Week and National Vegetarian Week  in the UK

Some food related happenings on this day in:

• 1506 Christopher Columbus, an explorer from Genoa Italy, died. Not food related, but definately Italian!!!!!!
• 1799 Honore de Balzac Born.  French author. Balzac would lock himself away during creative bursts, drinking coffee and eating only fruit and eggs.  When he finally took a break, he was known to consume huge quantities of food.  One report recalls that at the Véry restaurant he ate “a hundred Ostend oysters, twelve cutlets of salt-meadow mutton, a duck with turnips, two partridges and a Normandy sole,” not to mention the desserts, fruit and liqueurs he also consumed.
• 1810 On this day Dolly Madison, wife of president James Madison, supposedly served the first ice cream at the White House, for a reception.
• 1874 Jeans with copper rivets are patented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis. (just had to add this because its soooo cool)
• 1884 L. Blue patented a hand corn sheller.
• 2005 Governor Jeb Bush signed a bill making the orange the official State Fruit of Florida.  The orange blossom and orange juice have been previously declared the official state flower and official state beverage.
• 2009 Hot Dog Wars: Sara Lee (Ball Park Franks) sued Kraft Foods (Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Franks) over claims that Oscar Mayer franks are better than Ball Park Franks.

Gelato Petrini is excited to announce that Saquella Cafe in Via de Palmas (East Boca) is now serving a range of Gelato Petrini gelato. Come try the Pineapple Prosecco sorbet!

Have you ever tasted Gelato Petrini’s Green Tea Gelato and Sorbet? We have two versions, one made with soy milk and one made with milk, to suit all palates. Our delicious green tea is a great compliment to asian fusion meals and guess what? Its All Natural and Healthy!  Why you ask? Well, green tea has tremendous healing benefits because it contains polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants that help block the growth of skin cancer cells.

Green tea has a slew of other benefits such as:

Burning fat

Green Tea helps speed up the metabolic rate because its antioxidant effect helps the liver to function more efficiently. A recent U.S. study of overweight men found that, with no other changes to their diet or exercise regimes, drinking green tea three times a day burned up 200 extra calories a day.

Protecting against heart disease

Green Tea has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, because its potent antioxidant effects inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the arteries.

Helping to lower blood pressure 

A major cause of hypertension (high blood pressure) is an enzyme secreted by the kidneys called angiotension- converting enzyme (ACE). Popular drugs for hypertension act as ACE inhibitors: by blocking the effects of ACE, blood pressure is reduced. Green tea is a natural ACE inhibitor, and several medical studies show lowered blood pressure in animals and humans given green tea extracts.

Protecting against diabetes

When starch is consumed, it requires the enzyme amylase to break it down into simple sugars that can be absorbed in the bloodstream. Green tea polyphenols inhibit amylase, and so can help lower blood sugar levels. High blood levels of glucose and insulin predispose people to diabetes.

Preventing food poisoning 

As it can kill bacteria, drinking green tea with meals may reduce the risk of bacterial food poisoning. It prevents the growth of dangerous intestinal bacterial strains such as clostridia and E. coli and promotes the growth of friendly bifidobacteria

Preventing bad breath

Drinking green tea – which is a natural anti-bacterial agent – with food may help kill the oral bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath.

Guarding against hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is often triggered by high levels of iron in the liver. Green tea lowers iron levels throughout the body, so may have a direct anti-viral effect against certain strains of hepatitis

Protecting against cancer 

There is growing evidence to suggest that green tea contains compounds that fight cancer. The tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which helps inhibit blood vessel growth.

 Preventing arthritis 

A recent study found that antioxidants in green tea may prevent or reduce the severity of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Antioxidants in the tea inhibit the Cox-2 gene that triggers inflammation, working in much the same way as anti-inflammatory drugs.

 Boosting  immunity 

Gargling with green tea boosts immunity to influenza and flu, according to a study in Japan. Research at Harvard University also indicated that green tea chemicals stimulated gammadelta T-cells, which bolster immunity against bacteria and viruses.

Protecting against Alzheimer’s disease

A recent two-year study of a group of people aged 80 and over found that 96 per cent of those who drank ten cups of green tea a day showed no signs of cognitive impairment, compared to only 12 per cent who didn’t drink green tea.

Fighting allergies 

Researchers in Japan have identified a compound in green tea that, in laboratory tests, blocks a key cell receptor involved in producing an allergic response. The compound, methylated epigallocatechin gallate, works by blocking the production of histamine and immunoglobulin E, two compounds in the body that are chiefly involved in triggering and sustaining allergic reactions.

Excerpts taken from article written by AMY ANDERSON, Daily Mail

Nothing tastes better than a scoop of cold ice cream on a hot summer day ‘” except maybe a gelato. If you haven’t tasted a gelato, you’re in for a sweet surprise. Gelato is the Italian interpretation of ice cream and its every bit as sweet and even a little creamier than ice cream. It’s sure to satisfy even the most discriminating sweet tooth. With all that lusciousness, what about the health aspects of this delicious treat? When it comes to frozen gelato vs. ice cream, which is healthier?

When it comes to gelato vs. ice cream, neither gelato nor ice cream can be classified as health foods with the exception of some sugar free, fat free ice creams that vary can widely in taste. Gelato has an advantage over ice cream when it comes to fat content. Frozen gelato is made using less butterfat than ice cream which gives it a slight health advantage. Whereas the typical ice cream has a fat content ranging from fourteen to twenty-five percent, gelato averages between five to nine percent butterfat, a significant difference. It’s hard to believe when you taste this sweet treat that it’s actually lower in fat than conventional ice cream. Ice cream is also made using cream whereas gelato is made with milk. You can even find soy milk versions in some natural food markets.

When it comes to gelato vs. ice cream, how can frozen gelato taste so creamy and still be lower in fat than ice cream? The reason gelato retains its rich, creamy taste with a lower fat content is because less air is added to the final product, in contrast to ice cream which often contains a great deal of added air. The result is that gelato has a very dense texture that gives it a decadent, creamy taste without all the fat.

What about calories when it comes to frozen gelato vs. ice cream? Which is lower? The average half-cup serving of gelato has between one-hundred-and-fifty and two hundred calories whereas full-fat ice cream usually starts at around two hundred calories and can go much higher depending on the ingredients. Although gelato has characteristically been made with large amounts of sugar which adds to the calorie count, you can now find versions made with artificial sweeteners such as Splenda for a significant calorie savings.

Gelato vs. ice cream ‘” which is healthier? Unless you’re going for a fat free ice cream, frozen gelato may be the better choice. You get all the rich, cream taste with less fat and calories. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Kristie Leong M.D., Yahoo! Contributor Network

FIRST POST OF GELATO PINTS AVAILABLE THIS WEEK! First come First Serve!

DAIRY

Chocolate Peanut Butter 1
Stracciatella 1
Strawberries and Cream 2
Mint Chip 4
Cappuccino 5
Tiramisu 1
Cinnamon 1
Maple Walnut 2
French Vanilla 3
Milk Chocolate 1
Cassata Siciliana 1
Italian Wedding Cake 2
Gianduia (Choc Hazelnut) 3

NON-DAIRY (pareve)

Raspberry 9
French Vanilla Soy  14
Cappuccino Soy  7
Chocolate Noir  1
Strawbery  7
Mixed Berry 1
Coconut 1
Mango 2