Gelateria: how to start a production of handmade gelatos

It’s common to see the emergence of spaces known as gelaterias in large cities. Known for its exceptional quality and preparation techniques, gelato has won over consumers by combining flavor, freshness and natural ingredients.

Are you interested in this lucrative business model and want to know how exactly you can enter the gelato market? This article was prepared especially for you. Continue reading and find out how to open your gelateria!

What's the difference between gelato and ice cream?

Although the historical origin is the same, there are important differences between gelato and ice cream. You need to know how to identify them and point them out to your customers, showing why gelato is not the same as ice cream. The main points of distinction are:

• Freshness: gelato is usually consumed no more than two days after its production, while ice cream can be stored for months;
• Chemicals: the true gelato is made only with natural ingredients, without chemical additives of any kind;
• Fat: gelato is composed of fresh sour cream or, depending on the taste, water, without the addition of vegetable fat;
• Sugar: the gelato receives little addition of refined sugar (just to enhance the natural flavors of the fruits and avoid freezing the mixture).

How does artisanal gelato production work?

The production of gelato begins with the best ingredients. The dedicated professional is a true craftsman, an artist, passionate about what he does. An aficionado of all things gelato. Constantly searching for perfection in every recipe.

Once the ingredients have been chosen, 3 fundamental steps are followed:

• Homogenization: the process begins with the homogenization and emulsion of the mixture.
• Pasteurization: this phase can occur directly in the production company Ice Clean P. Heating takes place in the upper cylinder and cooling (completion of pasteurization) in the lower cylinder. The processes are simultaneous, which increases productivity. The lower cylinder is responsible for cooling and freezing the mixture until the gelato is finalized. This system ensures an extremely creamy and consistent product, essential characteristics to a good gelato;
• Ultra freezing: After the production and decoration of gelato, one can apply an ultra-fast freeze to maintain the structure of the decoration and facilitate the display in a showcase.

Then, just display your products in the showcase and prepare to profit!

Why invest in this business?

The ice cream market is a very heated topic in the national conversation, reaching audiences of all ages and the most diverse social groups. When we talk about gelato, a premium product, the profit margins can be even higher than those of traditional ice cream, allowing the same profitability with a lower sales volume.

To produce one pound of handmade gelato, for example, the cost of production is about $2.50 per pound. The same volume can be easily sold at $16.50/pound, generating a profit margin of 500%.

How to build your gelateria.

We already understand that the history of gelato looks like that of ice cream, but there are crucial differences between the two items. We've also seen why opening a gelateria is an excellent business idea, with tremendous potential.

We have some quick tips to get started on your gelato business journey. 

Take gelato production courses

To succeed in any type of enterprise, it is essential to know all the stages of the production process, gelato is no different.

Even if your business model includes hiring employees to take care of production right from the start, you should always oversee the processes. It is necessary, as an owner, to ensure the final quality of the product.

Therefore, taking a gelato production course should be one of your first concerns. In it, you'll learn about tried and true techniques to extract the best flavor and perfect texture from each shipment, without wasting ingredients or compromising your profit margin.

Invest in quality ingredients

Just as great musicians always use the best instruments, you should appreciate the quality of the ingredients used in your gelateria.

That's because, even with the most modern equipment and sophisticated techniques, if the ingredients are bad, your gelato will not be tasty. It's as simple as that.

Therefore, look for fresh items of good quality. If you are working with fruits, give preference to those that are in season, which are at the peak of flavor and aroma (not to mention that they can be found at more affordable prices).

Using this type of fruit also gives a seasonal character to your gelato. This helps create a sense of urgency among your customers.

Meet your customers

As in other businesses, the client is king in the gelaterias. This means that to succeed, you need to know your target audience in depth, understanding their needs and what they expect from a gelateria. This enables you to anticipate what the consumer is looking for before they even ask.

In addition, developing a good relationship with your customers before, during and after the sale will increase the chances of them returning to your establishment. They can also give constructive feedback, which will help you correct any flaws and always improve.

Choose a well-located spot and maintain the hygiene and safety of the site

There's no point in producing the best gelato in town if people just don't know you exist, right? Therefore, it is essential to choose a great location. Remember that the production must be done on site, because the difference in quality is the freshness of the product.

Moreover, it is important to meet all sanitary standards of food production, more specifically those that deal with the production of ice cream. Also ensure that your plant is in accordance with all the requirements of the competent agencies, such as the Fire Department, Sanitary Surveillance and any others required by the city of your city.

Enlarge the menu

Obviously, gelato should be the center of attention in a gelateria. However, your business can greatly benefit from a menu with other items, as long as they do not harm the brand identity.

Coffee drinks and small savory snacks can attract a larger audience to the establishment. In addition, they ensure that people have a reason to visit your store even during the winter.

Remembering these important steps and tips will help you succeed in opening your gelateria.