Discover the magic of granita and learn how to make it at home
Why You'll Love Granita Not Just in Summer
When you hear summer, most people think of the sun, the sea, and something icy that melts on the tongue. Granita is one of those treats – a subtly frozen dessert that combines simplicity, natural ingredients, and natural refreshment. Although it's not as well-known in the Czech Republic as ice cream or sorbet, its roots run deep in history, and its popularity is growing here too.
What is Granita and Where Does It Come From?
Granita (in Italian "granita siciliana") is a traditional Italian frozen dessert that originates from Sicily. It has a consistency somewhere between sorbet and a slushie, but unlike both, its texture is finer yet coarser – a sort of frozen cream with ice crystals. It's precisely this combination that quenches thirst and satisfies a sweet craving on hot days.
The basic recipe is surprisingly simple – water, sugar, and fruit juice or puree. That's all it takes to create a delicacy that people in southern Italy enjoy not just as a dessert, but as breakfast – typically served with a fresh white bun called brioche col tuppo. Yes, you read that right – Sicilians enjoy a portion of granita and fresh bread with their morning coffee. And it surprisingly works well.
The Secret of Its Popularity
Granita isn't just an icy treat – it's a piece of culture. In Palermo, Catania, or Syracuse, you'll find hundreds of cafes, each with its own recipe, tradition, and approach. Depending on the region, flavors vary. The eastern part of the island prefers almond granita, while the west leans towards lemon or coffee with milk. What unites them all is a love for ingredients. Only fresh ingredients without unnecessary additives or artificial colors are used. That's why homemade granita tastes different from the one bought in a supermarket.
And it wouldn't be Italy if granita weren't also associated with fashion and art. The original refreshment has even become an inspiration in the perfume world.
Guerlain and Granita? Yes, Even a Fragrance Can Taste Like Summer
The brand Guerlain, one of the most famous French perfume houses, was inspired by this Sicilian dessert when creating its fragrance Aqua Allegoria Pera Granita. This fragrance, which translates to "pear granita," is truly like a glass of icy nectar on a hot day.
The scent combines fresh notes of pear, citrus, grapefruit, and orange blossoms, complemented by subtle musk and woody accords. It evokes the irresistible feeling of icy fruit on the tongue and is a perfect testament to how deeply a simple Italian dessert can root itself in various areas of culture. "A fragrance should be like an unexpected kiss of flavor – surprising yet natural," said Guerlain's chief perfumer Delphine Jelk about the Aqua Allegoria collection.
Granita Recipe You Can Make at Home
Although the original Sicilian granita has its charm in local ingredients and preparation style, there's no reason why you can't enjoy it at home. The good news is you don't need any special equipment or an ice cream maker.
Lemon Granita – A Classic That Never Disappoints
Ingredients:
- 500 ml water
- 150 g cane sugar
- 150 ml fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 organic lemon
Instructions:
- In a small pot, heat the water and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool.
- Add the lemon juice and grated lemon zest.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow stainless steel container and place it in the freezer.
- Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture with a fork to prevent it from becoming a solid block of ice and instead form fine crystals.
- After 3–4 hours, the granita is ready. Serve in glasses, garnished with a mint leaf.
You can modify this basic granita recipe to your taste – instead of lemon, use orange, strawberries, melon, or even coffee with a bit of vanilla. Some modern versions even add coconut milk or herbs like basil. The possibilities are nearly endless.
Granita as an Ice Cream Alternative – Healthier and Without Compromises
In a time when more and more people are mindful of what they eat and drink, granita is a great alternative. It contains no milk, cream, or eggs, and if you decide to cut back on sugar, you can easily replace it with agave syrup, honey, or a natural sweetener. For vegans, allergy sufferers, or those on a gluten-free diet, granita is an ideal refreshment without complications.
And what's more – you can make it from local fruit. In summer, rhubarb, gooseberries, or currants are ideal. If you grow herbs on your balcony, try a combination of raspberries and lemon balm – the resulting flavor will surprise you.
How Granita Changed the View of Summer
Jana, a thirty-year-old teacher from Brno, first tasted granita during her vacation in Sicily. "It was at a small kiosk on a street corner in Catania. I had lemon granita with a brioche and was shocked at how something so simple could be so good. Since then, I make it at home in the summer – especially for the kids because I know what's in it," she says. Today, she always has portions of various flavors ready in the freezer and swears it changed her relationship with sweets. "I no longer go to the store for ice pops. A few lemons and water are enough."
Granita thus becomes not only the taste of summer but also a symbol of a conscious approach to eating. It proves that something sweet can also be light, refreshing, and healthy.
Where to Get Quality Ingredients?
If you're up for making granita, pay attention to the ingredients you use. The fruit should be as fresh as possible, ideally organic. Choose unwaxed citrus fruits, preferably from ecological farming. The water should be filtered or spring – it also affects the final flavor. And if you sweeten, prefer unrefined cane sugar, which has a slightly caramel flavor, or use natural syrup.
On e-shops focused on a healthy lifestyle, like Ferwer, you'll find a wide range of natural sweeteners, organic lemons, or even essential oils suitable for flavoring. Some ingredients you can even grow yourself – mint, lemon balm, or thyme can easily thrive in a window box.
Try our natural products
In a time when many of us are trying to slow down, take it easy, and focus on quality over quantity, returning to simple recipes like granita is refreshing not only literally but figuratively. Whether you enjoy it as breakfast, a dessert, or inspiration for a perfume, one thing is certain – granita is the taste of summer that you'll love.
