Maximus and Ella Piskun, who are the owners of the local French bakery miFLAVOUR, have created a spectacular line of classic Italian gelato with something for everyone. From dairy-free sorbettos and creamy classic flavors to wild rides for the tongue, Volonti is the best thing since giant macaron ice cream sandwiches. But what started this mad plan of awesomeness? Utter brilliance, a trip to Paris, and the foresight to see a need for new delicious frozen desserts. When Ella and Maximus Piskun first launched their giant macaron ice cream sandwiches on May 29, 2019, it changed the world’s view of macarons and ice cream. They chose local award-winning ice cream to use in their ice cream macarons. When they launched this new frozen dessert, all of Spokane went crazy over them and with good reason. They were something no one in Spokane had ever seen before.

They didn’t realize at the time that the launch of this dessert would eventually lead into launching a new gelato sister company, Volonti. It was not until Maximus and Ella headed to Paris in the summer of 2019 that the idea of creating a gelato company struck. In Paris, there were many gelato shops while Spokane had very little local offering and none in the truly classic Italian style. Unfortunately, they were a little busy at the time to bring that dream to life. Renovations of the now open miFLAVOUR café were well underway and 90+hour work weeks did not allow for the time needed to create truly wonderful gelato that met miFLAVOUR standards. Finally, in November of 2019 the café was launched and became a smashing success.

Shortly after, they received an email from the creamery that supplied miFLAVOUR ice-cream with sad news that the shop was going out of business. Maximus and Ella simply couldn’t bear the idea that ice cream recipes that took over 15 years to create by a local shop would simply be gone. Just like that, inspiration struck! If Ella and Max acquired 15 years of recipes and knowhow, they would be able to perfect them to fit the miFLAVOUR standard of quality and launch the new line of truly Italian gelato they had been dreaming of. This way they could save the recipes from being completely left by the wayside of a company going out of business and bring Spokane award-winning gelato backed by a reputable company. And poof! Volonti was born.

Before they started the new gelato company, Ella and Max spent months researching and traveling to find the right combination of flavors. They cross referenced popular flavors both in Paris and locally in the US to create the perfect list to offer in Spokane. They focused on finding unique flavors that stretched across many flavor profiles while making sure they did not focus on just one profile. They have created 10 macaron ice cream sandwiches, 10 Italian gelatos, and two dairy-free sorbettos for a total of 22 flavors. But what is the difference between gelato, ice cream, and sorbetto? I’m glad you asked. The main difference from ice cream to gelato is that gelato has a lower fat content and is whipped much less. This allows for more concentrated flavors while maintaining a creamy, buttery consistency. For the gelatos, there are more classic gelato flavors like Chocolate Dirt. It is a rich chocolate flavor that is neither too sweet nor too bitter and something that even those who generally do not like chocolate ice creams or gelatos will love. Honey Lavender is a more unique flavor that any and all who love lavender will adore! The lavender is mellowed out and softened with Citrine Honey which is infused directly into the gelato. (You can discover more about Citrine Honey, another miFLAVOUR sister company, and its amazingness HERE.) For those with a more adventurous palate and a desire to try something their taste buds have never tried, the Pineapple Mango Habanero is something to behold. It starts out with a sweet flavor that will very rapidly punch you in the face. The habanero is infused with pineapple and mango to create a wild ride. However, the Sicilian Pistachio is nothing to sneeze at either. While it may not be spicy or flowery, no American pistachio can compare. Which is why with the standard of miFLAVOUR to always bring you the best of the best, the pistachios for the gelato are imported straight from the region of Sicily, Italy before being blended into the gelato base.

Ice cream does have a higher fat content than gelato does and is whipped twice as much. However, it does allow the softer flavors to come through a little more. For example, the unique and delicious fruity pebbles make for a spectacular ice cream macaron. The cereal is infused directly into the ice cream before being whipped and put into the well-loved blue macaron shells. The raspberry cheesecake ice cream macaron on the other hand is a much more classic flavor. Fresh raspberries swirl through cheesecake ice cream and are held between two stunning maroon shells. However, there is something to be said about putting actual espresso shots directly into ice cream. That is exactly how the espresso ice cream macaron is made. The bakers at miFLAVOUR pull fresh shots of local roasted espresso supplied by Waverly’s and infuse it directly into the ice cream before blending it to perfection for the ice cream macaron sandwiches. Sorbettos are not only dairy free but also vegan. They are not your typical American style sorbet that often tastes like frozen juice. The two unique combinations of Strawberry Basil and Pink Guava Rose sorbettos, seem almost like an ice cream. They are creamy, buttery, light and delicious. Some local food critics were amazed at how the sorbetto quickly melts on the tongue. Who can say they enjoyed frozen dessert that good?

While miFLAVOUR will rotate in a few seasonal and holiday flavors, the rest of the flavors will be staples so that you can always count on being able to get your favorite frozen desserts. The gelatos and sorbettos come in stunning cups, pints, and even bulk 5 litres sizes to be taken home for parties, birthdays, or Netflix binging nightd. You can also have it as an affogato, whith two shots miFLAVOUR’s espresso over gelato. Made with as much locally sourced ingredients as possible including Citrine Honey and a few ingredients shipped from across the globe like Sicilian pistachios, Volonti is made in house and available for pick up and take out at the front counter and on the miFLAVOUR app. Eventually it will also be available in local stores for a quick grab off the shelf. Volonti is one more way for the miFLAVOUR company to expand and help bring people together as a community while offering the highest quality products to delight the senses. So, come on in and enjoy your next adventure for the tastes with Volonti, a miFLAVOUR sister company.