The appeal of gelato was then spread around the world by the waves of Italians
who emigrated across the world in the 19th century.
The £1 million museum will open in Anzola Emilia outside Bologna in September
but advance bookings for free organised tours can be made from this weekend.
It has been built by Carpigiani, an Italian firm that makes the lion’s share
of the world’s gelato machines.
Although the terms gelato and ice cream are used synonymously outside Italy,
the museum’s founders said they were two very different products.
“Gelato is typically made locally and served very fresh,” said
Andrea Cocchi, the director-general of the Carpigiani Group.
“It has a much lower fat content than ice cream, especially the stuff
which is made in the United States.”