Light, elegant and refreshing, granita is a simple shaved ice dessert that’s perfect for cooling off on a hot summer’s day. Made from crunchy ice flavoured with fruit, it has a fresher, cleaner mouthfeel than ice cream, and a coarser, lighter texture than sorbet. It is often served as a palate cleanser between courses, and also works well as a deliciously cool summer dessert. In its native Sicily, it is served with brioche for breakfast.
Granita is low fat and dairy-free, and it comes in a range of delicious flavours. Originally from Sicily, traditional granita flavours are based on popular Sicilian ingredients, and include lemon juice, mandarin oranges, jasmine, coffee, almonds, mint, and pistachio. It is possible to make granita using almost any fruit, however, and you can even add alcohol to make a delicious icy cocktail.
What flavour? The classic granita flavours are lemon, cinnamon and jasmine, with variants such as strawberry, almond and coffee. But there is also pistachio, black mulberry, peach, mandarin and pineapple, depending on the season.
How is granita served?
For obvious reasons, granita should be served to be consumed immediately, particularly on a hot day! It is usually presented in a chilled glass, garnished with fruit, herbs and even whipped cream as a special treat.
A true classic, lemon is the perfect choice for a fresh, zingy granita. Simply made, with lemons, sugar and water, this is granita at its traditional best. If you can find them, use Sicilian lemons for an authentic, slightly sweet lemon flavour.
Sweet, juicy strawberries make a wonderfully summery and cheerful granita. We love this version from All Recipes, which balances the sweetness of the strawberries with lemon juice and balsamic vinegar for a more grown up flavour.
The ultimate thirst-quencher, watermelon is another great choice for a refreshing granita. The luscious, mellow taste of watermelon is accentuated with a hint of fragrant rosewater for a deliciously elegant ice.
Classic ingredients for granita
Classic Sicilian granita is made from ingredients that abound on the island – lemons, oranges, almonds, mint and pistachios are the most common. Wild strawberries are used when in season. There are also some regional versions, such as indulgent chocolate granita from the city of Catania.
This is what breakfast looks like in Sicily (Italy)
FAQ
What flavour is granita?
What’s the difference between sorbet and granita?
What are the characteristics of granita dessert?
What does a granita taste like?
A granita is basically juice or liquid that’s frozen and scraped into fluffy, slush-like pieces with a fork. It’s usually intensely flavored and really refreshing. You can serve it as a dessert or palate cleanser between courses. What Is the Difference Between a Sorbet and a Granita?
Polenta vs Grits: Which is healthier?
Polenta are quite healthy as compared to grits. Polenta is high in complex carbohydrates, thus help you keep full for a long time. It is diabetes friendly, does not lead to the spike in the blood sugar levels. Polenta is a gluten-free grain. It is rich in antioxidants thus aiding various health benefits. It helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
What is a good Granita?
A true classic, lemon is the perfect choice for a fresh, zingy granita. Simply made, with lemons, sugar and water, this is granita at its traditional best. If you can find them, use Sicilian lemons for an authentic, slightly sweet lemon flavour. Sweet, juicy strawberries make a wonderfully summery and cheerful granita.
What is Granita made of?
Granita is made with water, sugar, and fruit juice or various other flavorings. It is sometimes confused with sorbetto, though granita has a much grainier texture, hence the name, while its origins can be traced back to the sweet Arabic chilled drink sharbāt which was introduced to Sicily during Arab rule.