A Foodie’s Guide to Ice Cream in Argentina

Few places can compare to the ice cream found in Argentina, making it widely regarded as some of the best in the world. Argentineans love helado (like most of us do) and in this post, we’ll explore why it is so unique and what sets it apart from other ice cream varieties.

High-quality ingredients

Most ice cream parlors use top-notch ingredients like fresh, rich whole milk and super creamy high-fat cream to achieve its deliciousness. They also carefully measure the sugar to hit that perfect sweet spot. Trust me, trying this heavenly treat won’t be regretted!

And that’s not even the best part. Many ice cream shops in Argentina take it to the next level by using natural, locally sourced ingredients to create some seriously mind-blowing flavors. They add a sweet and fruity kick with fresh fruits like strawberries, peaches, and lemons, and include nuts like almonds and walnuts for a satisfying crunch. But here’s the real surprise — they sometimes mix in herbs like mint and basil, giving it a refreshing and unexpected twist.

Italian Influence

The rich history of Italian immigration in Argentina has left a lasting mark on the country’s ice cream culture. In fact, Italian immigrants played a major role in the early days of ice cream making in Argentina, and were responsible for starting many of the first ice cream shops in the country. Leveraging their mastery of gelato-making, they introduced a unique style of ice cream to Argentina that has become a defining characteristic of the country’s dessert scene.

If you’re a fan of ice cream, you’ve got to check out the scene in Argentina. Even today, many parlors continue to make their ice cream using traditional Italian methods and recipes. They’re all about using fresh, high-quality ingredients and creating flavors that aren’t too over-the-top sweet (or so they say). What you get is ice cream that’s seriously smooth and has intense, natural flavors that aren’t drowned out by excessive sugar.

But here’s where things get really exciting – the ice cream makers aren’t content to just stick to the classics. They’re always experimenting with new and unique flavor combinations, keeping things interesting and fresh. This kind of creativity is what sets Argentine ice cream apart from traditional Italian gelato, and has helped establish the country as a true leader in the world of ice cream making. Trust us, you won’t regret indulging in a scoop or two (or three) of Argentine ice cream while you’re here!

Variety of flavors

Here are some of the most popular Argentine ice cream flavors:

1. Dulce de Leche – a caramel-like flavor that is a staple of Argentine cuisine
2. Chocolate – a classic flavor that is always popular
3. Frutilla – strawberry
4. Limón – lemon
5. Tramontana – Made with base of vanilla ice cream, and then mixed with swirls of dulce de leche and chunks of chocolate or nuts.
6. Banana Split – a combination of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry with banana chunks
7. Sambayón – a type of egg liqueur that is used to flavor ice cream
8. Crema Americana – a rich, creamy flavor similar to vanilla
9. Menta Granizada – mint with chocolate chips
10. Nueces con Dulce de Leche – nuts with dulce de leche
11. Malbec – a wine-flavored ice cream made with Argentina’s famous Malbec wine
12. Cerveza – beer-flavored ice cream, which may sound strange but is surprisingly delicious

In addition, many may offer seasonal flavors, such as fig or quince, that reflect the local produce available at different times of the year. They’re known for their creativity and experimentation, so you never know what unique flavor you might come across.

Artisanal production

There’s something truly special about the way it’s made. One of the reasons for this is that many produce their ice cream in small batches, and focus on selling their products through artisanal shops. This means that each shop has its own unique recipes and methods for creating ice cream, resulting in a distinct flavor profile that you won’t find anywhere else.

To make things even better, many of these artisanal shops make their ice cream right on the premises, which means that customers can enjoy it fresh and creamy. There’s something truly satisfying about watching your ice cream being made right in front of you, and then indulging in the finished product while it’s still perfectly chilled.

Ice Cream Parlors in Mendoza, Argentina

Here are my top recommendations:

🍨Fanciest
Lucciano’s brought back the latest ice cream manufacturing technologies and the best gelato masters from Italy. They’re known for their marketing and tasty ice pops.

🍨Uniquely Artistic **Must Try**
Dante Soppelsa is a much loved ice cream scientist in Mendoza. In his laboratory of flavors, he creates the most authentic and artisan flavors in the city, those that do not exist in another ice cream parlor, such as: “blackberry and lavender”, “avocado”, “turmeric and mango” or “charcoal”, but not only that, it also has an excellent variety made with wine, from a refreshing “Apple Chardonnay” a sweet “Peach Chenin”, ”Malbec” an exotic “Syrah with coconut” or a traditional “Suavignon Blanc”. Read more of Dante Soppelsa’s story here.

🍨Most Popular chain
Grido was founded by Santiago family from Córdoba, Argentina in the early 2000s. As of today, it has 1,385 parlors in Latin America.

🍨Oldest Ice Cream shop
Heladería Chini was established back in 1921 [102 years] and following the tradition of their Italian grandparents, they use the same recipe and top quality fresh products to result in the richest and best artisan ice creams throughout time.

🍨Homemade-feel
Though Alma De Helado only has 1 store, it has a cozy ambience that sells their homemade ice cream.

If you find yourself in Mendoza, don’t miss out on the opportunity to indulge in some of the city’s amazing ice cream. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there are plenty of artisanal ice cream shops to choose from. So, make sure to save some room in your belly and treat yourself to a delicious dessert!