Just one taste is all you need! Pino Gelato at 21 West Park Square next to Vineyard Cafe brings a taste of Italy to Marietta with rich, creamy gelato and sorbetto.

Gelato originated 200 years ago in Palermo, Sicily. It is a healthier and tastier option to ice cream, according to Jim Ell, owner/licensee of Pino Gelato. He said there were only a few places in Cobb County that actually sold the treat, and he opened his store in April 2011.

“I decided if I wanted gelato, I had to take matters into my own hands,” he said.

He said the major difference between gelato and ice cream is that gelato is made with milk and a little cream.

“Ice cream is made with mainly cream. The absence of cream in gelato cuts down on the fat,” he said.

Gelato achieves a dense, smooth texture with full-body taste through a method that pumps less air into the making process as opposed to ice cream’s process.

“That is why you get that richer, creamier taste (than in ice cream),” Ell said. “(Gelato) actually tastes better. With richer, creamier taste and lower fat, what’s there not to like?”

Pino Gelato also sells an equally delicious frozen dessert sorbetto that is made without dairy. “It’s 100 percent fat free,” Ell said.

He said chocolate is the most popular gelato flavor sold, followed by strawberry and vanilla. Blood orange sorbetto is the most popular sorbetto along with Limoncello. Pino Gelato also serves specialty coffees including espresso, cappuccino and lattes.

Visit Pino Gelato from Monday through Thursday and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. For more information, call (770) 218-2525 or visit www.pinogelato.com.