If Barack and Michelle Obama ever decide to stop in San Gimignano, the presidential pair will have a tasty surprise in store. Anticipating a possible visit from the United States president and first lady, the local Gelateria Dondoli has created a custom flavour, aptly named ‘Michelle.’
In the run-up to the U.S. president’s visit to Rome, rumours abounded as to whether the first couple would spend a few days in Tuscany, too, inspiring local gelatiere Sergio Dondoli to honour the first lady with a special recipe: ‘I knew I wanted to use both honey and saffron. Saffron is the pride and joy of San Gimignano, and honey reminds me of the refined sweetness of a woman like Michelle,’ he explained. ‘Michelle’ also contains traces of orange peel and almond biscuits. Gelateria Dondoli began serving it to the public in late March.
If the couple were to drop in, it would not be the first time internationally famous faces have set foot in Gelateria Dondoli. A stop at the ice-cream parlour has long been a staple on celebrities’ and politicians’ trips to the turreted town, with past visitors including Tony Blair and Matteo Renzi.