What is Nocciola?

Nocciola: The Classically Italian Flavor Found in Every Gelateria

Hazelnut. If you're in line for gelato, that's the answer you're looking for. If you have a few more seconds before it's your turn, keep reading to find out a little more information on what to look for before ordering.

Hazelnuts before being made in gelato.

The best variety comes from either the Piedmont region (spelled "Piemonte" in Italian) region or the area around Viterbo (this is much easier to find in Rome since Viterbo is only an hour north).

Because this is a sought-after origin, a gelateria will often use that information on the sign, so you know you're getting a high-quality source. Look for "nocciola de Piemonte" or "nocciola de Viterbo".

You will also want to look for the color if you're ordering gelato. Hazelnut gelato should be very pale, almost like a light khaki. If it's overly dark then there's a good chance you're looking at food coloring.

If you like hazelnut, especially hazelnut and chocolate, check out some other flavors such as gianduia or bacio!