A Calypso Gelato fruit cup accented with Italian cookies and a slices of guava. - CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

Smooth and sweet with a decadence that is almost orgasmic, a scoop of Calypso Gelato's gourmet ice cream is a titillating feast for even the most sceptical of taste buds.

Made fresh each day from all natural fruits, Calypso Gelato provides ice cream that not only appeals to one's senses of sight and smell but also leaves the mouth watering for more.

With over 50 flavours, including passion fruit, guava, coconut, papaya, hazelnut and ginger to choose from - a visit to the shop is a like a slice of dessert heaven.

It is not a surprise then that this new kid on the block is getting rave reviews in western Jamaica. With just two years in operation, Calypso Gelato has been able to expand its franchise from its original outlet along the Hip Strip in Montego Bay, to include a complex - complete with a factory and travel stop-type restaurant.

Food visited the newly opened complex and it was a sweet treat. We were shown how ice cream was made andsampled several of the delicious flavours and delights available at Calypso Gelato.

"The response up to now has been really fantastic," said managing director Simonetta Maffessanti. "Since our complex opened in November, we have had tourists stop by for ice cream as well. We have even had persons call to order Gelato in Kingston, however, since we could not find a dry ice factory, we had to turn down that order."

Business plan

An Italian by birth, Mrs. Maffessanti has made Jamaica her home for the past 17 years. She happened upon the idea for a gourmet Italian gelato (ice cream) shop when her husband, Mark, also of Italian descent, complained of not being able to find ice cream that he loved. After an overseas trip, a business plan and an intensive training session with master Italian ice cream maker, Silvio Pala, Calypso Gelato was born.

"We wanted the shop to be a marriage between Italy and Jamaica," she said. "We want to distinguish ourselves from other ice-cream brands. We don't use preservatives, we don't use fillers. Only real things go in. We don't use anything else." She added: "It is done one batch at a time, so it is never made in huge quantities. Even for our wholesale customers, we tell them order two days supply at a time because we do not have it in stock, we make it after you order it."

Still expanding its range, Calypso Gelato has also mastered the art of delectable Italian ice cream cakes, Italian cookies and shakes. All of these can be purchased in the restaurant or over the telephone. They also cater to birthday parties and family gatherings. To make an order, call 979-9381 or fax 971-0560.

An ice-cream cake topped with cherries. One of the many delights that can be created to order at Calypso Gelato's in St. James.

With pineapples, strawberries and papaya, these Calypso Gelato fruit tarts look as delicious as they taste.

A selection of the more than 50 flavours are available at Calypso Gelato

A Calypso Gelato banana split.

Flavours

Sorbet and Non-Dairy

Milk Based

Chocolate Chip

Zabajone

Tiramisu

Hazelnut

Tortuga Rum Cake

Cremino

Gianduia

Coconut

Ginger

Milk/Fat Free

Lemon

Passion fruit

Papaya

Ortanique Orange

Banana

Seasonal Milk/Fat Free

Sour Sop

Guava

Mango

Blackberry

Naseberry

Strawberry