SOUTH YARMOUTH – At Caffe Gelato Bertini, co-owners and sisters Patricia and Peta Thomas send your palate on an adventurous culinary journey.
Her favorite flavors include mascarpone with mixed berries or Sicilian cassata with pistachios, ricotta, lime, lemon and orange. There’s also a spicy hot chocolate and dairy- and sugar-free options in her case, which contains 24 flavors.
“We finally got our lavender right,” said Peta Thomas.
The ice cream shop opened in late June at its new location in the Hearth ‘n Kettle Plaza on Main Street in South Yarmouth. Italian sisters Alessandra and Susi Bertini opened the business in Hyannis about 18 years ago. They learned the craft from their father Giuliano while working at his gelateria in Florence, Italy, the website says.
Tom and Cindy Duby later bought it and apprenticed with the sisters. After several years, they sold the store in 2020 to the Thomas sisters, who were loyal customers when it was still in a tiny storefront on South Street in Yarmouth.
“Tom taught us everything… he really wanted us to do it authentically,” said Patricia Thomas.
The secret of tasty gelato
Their gelato is made from milk and then fruits and sugar are added, while ice cream contains milk, cream and sometimes egg. Ice cream is churned at high speed for a long time, forming air pockets and crystals, while gelato freezes at a slower speed.
“It’s denser and softer on the palate,” said Patricia Thomas. “That’s why you can taste the flavors because the fats from the ice cream don’t stick to your tongue.”
Peta Thomas said they moved to Hearth ‘n Kettle Plaza because they wanted more space. While they were previously open from May to October, they now believe they can stay open until December, although they haven’t made a final decision yet.
According to appraisal documents, Michel Mangalo, as trustee of Hayman Realty Trust, purchased the Plaza in May 2023 for $2,575,000.
Everything is made from scratch, says Patricia Thomas, including the whipped cream and caramel sauce.
“I think people don’t understand that when they come in and see we don’t have certain flavors they wanted. ‘Oh, then get one in the back.’ We make it ourselves, it’s a process, it’s not like an ice cream shop, everything is made the day we sell it,” said Patricia Thomas.
Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. You can reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X @zanerazz.
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