If you decide to visit Istria and enjoy the charming abundance it offers, you will soon discover that each of its peculiarities hides its own individual story. You'll say ice cream has nothing to say. But if you had the opportunity to meet Pierluigi Salvatore, then you will understand that there is art and luxury even in the production of ice cream.

As a twelve-year-old boy, a native of Pescara, Italy, Pierluigi helped a local ice cream maker, who taught him all the secrets of producing top-quality ice cream. After many years as a food technologist, Pierluigi decides to return to his roots and create ice cream. As he falls in love with the Mediterranean, his life will bring him to Istria, to the city of Poreč.

The Story of the Most Delicious Gelato

In 2019, he opened his ice cream shop. It's located in the small street of Sv. Eleuterija in the very center of Poreč, not far from the Euphrasian Basilica, and there he sells ice cream that is different from classic ice cream in many ways. How is that possible?

Pierluigi uses only top-quality products and fresh and natural ingredients. He gets his milk from a local farmer. He buys fruit from producers in Poreč and Buje, which are organic farms. He buys pistachios from Sicily and hazelnuts from Piemont.

"In addition to unusual types of ice cream, you should also offer classic chocolate and vanilla ice cream." It is made with premium ingredients, so it tastes different from standard ice creams. All ingredients are fresh and organically produced. If you choose the strawberry flavor, you will literally taste the aroma of Vrgorac strawberries. If you want raspberry, you will eat an authentic product from Istria. If you like chocolate, Pierluigi gets it from Ecuador, where local Indians plant organic cacao, practicing non-invasive agriculture and "fair trade".

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As a food technologist, he was interested in combining and producing various flavors. This is how some more expensive types of ice cream were created, which Pierluigi says are very popular among local residents and tourists.

„Istra“ ice cream is made from donkey milk by a local farmer. With the addition of truffles, honey, hazelnuts, and olive oil, it is not only unusual but also very healthy.

„Istrian gold“ will delight every ice cream lover because, on top of the goat's "skuta" and caramel cheesecake, the ice cream is decorated with 24-carat edible gold. If you are looking for luxury, then this ice cream is the right discovery for you. If you've never tried ice cream made from local wine, Pierluigi made sure that you do too.

"We make fruit ice cream based on sorbet with carob flour, for the production of which the Dalmatian islands are ideal. With sorbet, we also make ice creams with the taste of wine and Poreč craft beer Bura, which we purchase from local producers."

"In order to produce delicious, original ice cream, you need inspiration. I am inspired by climates and people, especially my friends and ice cream lovers."

Pierluigi is not only an ice cream maker and the owner of a delicious ice cream shop. His motive is not simply to make money without providing anything in return. The high standard of quality and unusual flavors that he invents himself is a guarantee of success in the future. 

"I just want to sleep peacefully," he jokes. His guests will remember Istria long after they have taken the happiest memories from it. This is whether they are eating ice cream with biodegradable spoons, or trying something so unique they will tell their friends about it.

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