What makes gelato different from ice cream?
Both gelato and ice cream are frozen desserts made from cream, milk, sugar, and sometimes egg yolks. While they may share similar ingredients, gelato and ice cream are two different desserts.
Firstly, gelato has less fat than ice cream. Ice cream has a fat content of between 14-25%, whereas gelato only contains 4-10% fat. The lower fat content of gelato leads to a more intense flavor because there is less fat to coat the tongue.
Also, gelato has significantly less air incorporated into it during the churning process. Ice cream can have 50% or more air churned into it, while gelato only has about 20-30%. Lower "ovverun" gives gelato a richer taste and denser texture (air is tasteless).
Gelato is enjoyed at a warmer temperature than ice cream (15 degrees warmer than American ice cream). This gives gelato a softer, creamier texture and reinforces the flavors because it more quickly melts on your palate.
Italian gelato can only be made properly in small batches using artisanal methods.
Italian gelato is a unique and delicious frozen dessert. We may be biased but we think gelato the superior frozen dessert. Come and taste the difference for yourself!