Roman Ice Cream at Gelateria Mario
Author: Anja Neskens
Photography: Anja Neskens
Mario Vanoppen is an entrepreneur through and through. In Vroenhoven and Rekem, he has already won over many customers with his delicious ice cream creations. Now you can also enjoy his artisan ice cream on the market square of Tongeren, overlooking the beautiful basilica and just a short walk from the Gallo-Romeins Museum.
Is entrepreneurship in your blood?
Absolutely. No challenge is too great for us to take on. I see opportunities everywhere. Many entrepreneurs simply sit back and do nothing, but that gets you nowhere. A positive mindset and collaboration with other entrepreneurs and organisations will take you further. Don’t look for problems — think in solutions.
Why VIA VIA?
When I first heard about the VIA VIA project, my creative mind immediately started turning. What did the Romans enjoy eating? Did they already have sugar? No — honey. And which herbs did they use? What kind of milk and fruits? After many questions, I finally knew: Via Belgica Romana ice cream.
And what exactly is ‘Via Belgica’ ice cream?
Romans travelling long distances also needed some refreshment from time to time. Think of tired merchants, travellers or soldiers after a long march. I was inspired by ingredients such as honey, ricotta and figs. The creaminess of ricotta, the sweetness of honey and the rich flavour of ripe figs — absolutely irresistible.
Honey from beekeeper De Kevi
Collaborating with other local entrepreneurs is essential to me. So for the Via Belgica ice cream, it was obvious that I would not use just any honey. The honey from local beekeeper “De Kevi” is a trusted name in Tongeren. And now also in our Roman ice cream.
A little gift
Every tourist walking past our shop with the VIA VIA / Via Belgica app will hear the sound of a Roman cornu. At that moment, a pop-up for “Mario’s Ice Cream” will appear in the app. Show it in our shop and receive a delicious free topping (rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream or nuts) on your ice cream.
Enjoy — and savour all the Roman splendour Tongeren has to offer!
VIA VIA is supported by the European Union and the Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE) programme, with co-financing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Province of Limburg, and the Regio Deal Parkstad Limburg.
