Just a short walk away from the Institute for American Universities (IAU), you will find Téte-á-téte, which offers all kinds of coffee, matcha, and even dessert. We were pleasantly surprised to find this local shop, filled with unique character and a warm atmosphere. Upon walking in, we were greeted with friendly faces and the workers were happy to assist us with finding the perfect flavor combination. Téte-á-téte also offers affogato, which is a blend of gelato with espresso, matcha, or a latte. Affogato isn’t commonly found back in the U.S., so it was interesting to see what options they had to offer. Experiencing new foods and desserts through local shops here has been a lovely addition to exploring the culture found specifically in Barcelona.
Gelato originated in Italy during the 16th century; however, during the Italian Renaissance a feast was commissioned for the King of Spain, introducing the modern dessert as we know it. Gelato is commonly compared to ice cream, but there are a few fundamental differences. Gelato is a lot more popular in European countries — almost as popular as coffee shops. It is known for its rich flavor and is typically denser in texture. Gelato generally uses more milk and less cream, and it is churned more slowly, resulting in the creamy and savory flavor. If you’re ever in Europe, do yourself a favor and stop by a local gelato spot. We promise you won’t regret it!
About the Authors
Erin Abdalla is a junior journalism major. Stella Garcia and Emma Shuster are junior mass communications majors. Aidan Storey is a junior public relations major. Kyron Williams is a junior broadcast journalism major.