Berlin's Pinocchio Gelato Wins 'Flavour of the Year' Amid Rising Prices

A small scoop of ice cream at Caffè e Gelato near Potsdamer Platz now costs between €2.50 and €3. The shop, known for its high-quality ingredients, offers 36 fresh flavours every summer. One of them, Pinocchio, has just been named the 'Flavour of the Year' for 2023.

The Pinocchio flavour combines milk-based gelato with strawberry sorbet. It's topped with chocolate-dipped grissini or mini waffle pieces. The name celebrates Carlo Collodi, the Italian writer behind Pinocchio, who would have turned 200 this year.

Across Germany, ice cream remains relatively affordable compared to other European countries. A single scoop typically costs between €1.80 and €2.50, while in Italy or Spain, the same would be around €3. Thirty or forty years ago, Germans paid just 70 or 80 pfennigs for a scoop. Like many businesses, ice cream shops now face rising costs due to inflation. Comparing past and present prices is tricky, as living costs have changed dramatically over the decades. Still, *Caffè e Gelato* continues to make all its gelato fresh each day, keeping tradition alive despite economic pressures.

The Pinocchio flavour highlights the shop's creative approach to gelato. While prices have climbed over the years, German ice cream still costs less than in many neighbouring countries. For now, customers can enjoy a wide selection of handmade flavours at Caffè e Gelato—with a scoop of history on the side.