At Caffe Alanno, granita isn’t just a frozen dessert—it’s a labor of love, a tribute to Sicilian tradition, and a reflection of our family’s deep-rooted passion for handcrafted food.
Each batch of our all-natural, small-batch granita is carefully prepared in our kitchen, where Karen and Mike bring generations of tradition to life. From sourcing fresh fruit to the meticulous freezing technique, every scoop embodies the authenticity and dedication that make Caffe Alanno’s granita truly unique.
The Art of Making Authentic Granita
Making granita is not as simple as freezing flavored ice—it requires patience, technique, and an understanding of how real fruit flavors develop. What sets our granita apart is our commitment to traditional Sicilian methods, ensuring that every spoonful is just as it was meant to be enjoyed.
1. Starting with the Freshest Ingredients
Great granita begins with great ingredients. That’s why we hand-select the freshest, ripest fruits to ensure every flavor is vibrant, pure, and naturally sweet. We never use artificial flavoring, dyes, or preservatives—just real fruit, water, and cane sugar.
Whether it’s the tart brightness of lemons, the delicate sweetness of cantaloupe, or the deep richness of blackberries, we let the fruit shine—as it should.
2. The Key to Authentic Granita: Adding Fruit Before Freezing
Unlike other frozen treats where flavoring is added after the ice is formed, traditional Sicilian granita requires the fruit to be incorporated before freezing.
Why does this matter?
✅ It locks in the fruit’s natural essence, ensuring an authentic taste in every bite.
✅ It creates a perfectly balanced texture, as the fruit freezes into the mixture rather than sitting on top.
✅ It enhances the depth of flavor, allowing natural sugars and acidity to meld as the granita slowly solidifies.
By blending the fruit or puree directly into the water and sugar mixture before freezing, we ensure a full-bodied, refreshing taste that’s smooth yet textured—just as granita was meant to be.
3. The Slow-Freezing Technique: Patience is Key
Unlike ice cream, which is churned, or sorbet, which is blended, granita is frozen slowly while being gently scraped at intervals.
Why does this matter?
✅ Prevents large ice crystals from forming, resulting in the signature flaky texture.
✅ Maintains the natural fruit flavors without over-processing.
✅ Creates a spoonable, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that isn’t overly slushy or smooth.
Every several hours, we scrape the mixture by hand, carefully monitoring the consistency. This slow, hands-on approach ensures that each batch develops the light, delicate texture that defines authentic Sicilian granita. It takes patience, but the result is worth every moment!
4. Handmade in Small Batches
Every batch is made by hand, in small quantities, ensuring quality and freshness. The difference?
✔ More control over texture and consistency
✔ No need for artificial stabilizers or preservatives
✔ A truly artisanal product made with care
While this method takes more time and effort, the result is granita that tastes as fresh as the day it was made—bursting with pure, natural fruit flavor.
More Than a Business—A Family Tradition
For Karen and Mike, making granita isn’t just about selling a product—it’s about honoring their Italian heritage, celebrating family, and keeping a beloved tradition alive.
Growing up in Boston’s Italian neighborhoods, they were surrounded by homemade recipes and family meals made from scratch. This love for handcrafted, natural food inspired them to recreate the true granita experience—not a mass-produced frozen dessert, but a flavorful, refreshing, and nostalgic treat made with care.
During family gatherings, Mike and Karen often experiment with new flavors, testing their creations on relatives who aren’t afraid to give honest feedback. From Apple Pie Granita in the fall to Chestnut Granita for the holidays, they’re always pushing the boundaries while staying true to tradition.
What Makes Caffe Alanno’s Granita Unique?
Authenticity – We follow the true Sicilian granita-making process, ensuring a product that honors tradition.
Handcrafted in Small Batches – No machines, no shortcuts—just time, patience, and skill.
All-Natural Ingredients – No artificial syrups, no preservatives—just fresh fruit, water, and cane sugar.
Experimental & Seasonal Flavors – While we love the classics like Lemon and Strawberry, we also enjoy pushing the limits of flavor with seasonal favorites like Peach, Rhubarb, Coffee and Almond. Every flavor is crafted with the same attention to detail, ensuring a pure, refreshing, and unforgettable experience.
Bringing Granita to More People in 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that Caffe Alanno is expanding! This year, we’re making it easier than ever for you to enjoy our handcrafted granita anytime, anywhere.
✔ Pre-packaged pints for online ordering – Enjoy your favorite flavors at home!
✔ Pick-up from farmers markets – Order ahead & grab your pint at a local market.
✔ Expanding to specialty stores – Soon, you’ll be able to find Caffe Alanno granita in select small businesses near you!
Stay tuned for more updates on our 2025 event calendar and wholesale availability!
Follow Our Granita Journey 🍧
Want a behind-the-scenes look at our kitchen process? Curious about our newest flavors? Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest updates, sneak peeks, and exclusive offers!
And don’t forget to subscribe to our email list for exclusive announcements—including a FREE scoop at your next event!
At Caffe Alanno, every scoop of granita is a story—a reflection of our family, our dedication, and our passion for preserving true Sicilian tradition. Whether you’re discovering granita for the first time or you’ve been a lifelong fan, we invite you to experience the difference of handmade, all-natural granita crafted with love.
Here’s to another season of bold flavors, rich history, and unforgettable scoops! 🍧✨
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