The best time of year for frozen dessert is now! Sincerity tells us that we’ll consume the majority of them regardless of their name, but is there truly a “difference between gelato and ice cream?” Or is gelato simply ice cream with a better name?
Like ice cream, gelato is made from a custard base of milk, cream, and sugar. The milk content of the two desserts differs, with gelato having more milk and less cream.
1. Both Ice Creams Are Popular Frozen Desserts
Stuck between gelato vs ice cream on a hot summer day? Let us learn about the difference between gelato and ice cream.
Any urban area in the height of summer will have people walking about with their faces buried deep in a creamy, frozen treat.
Ice cream and gelato are very different from one another, even though it may be challenging to identify the difference between gelato and ice cream.
This article explores the history of American ice cream and Italian gelato, their distinctions, and which is a healthier dessert.
1.1 History Of American Ice Cream And Italian Gelato
Image by Roman Odintsov from Pexels
Although the inventor of ice cream is unknown, the dish’s oldest iterations may be found in ancient China. King Tang of Shang’s preferred dessert was rumored to be a concoction of buffalo dairy, flour, and ice.
In later iterations, the dish was served with fruit, juice, or honey over freshly fallen alpine snow.
Ice cream developed over time to contain dairy from cows and later egg yolks, becoming a treat only enjoyed by the affluent. In the 17th century, cream ice, as it was known, adorned the dessert dishes of Charles I and his visitors.
However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that refrigeration technology and advancements in the dairy sector made it possible for producers to produce and sell ice cream at low cost and in big quantities.
In the middle of the 19th century, the first ice cream machine was created.
Although its origins are a little obscure, gelato was invented in Italy. Some people think it was created in Sicily, while others think it came from Florence. Ice cream in Italian is called gelato.
Gelato has a warmer temperature, dense texture, less fat, and a creamier body than ice cream.
1.2 The Ingredients In Gelato And Ice Cream
Milk and cream are two primary ingredients in ice cream and gelato. The difference lies between the proportions of each determines how each dish turns out.
Italian Gelato is created with a higher ratio of whole milk to cream than “ice cream,” as the name suggests, which contains more dairy than cream.
Eggs are a whole other element that tries to set the both apart from each other; egg yolks are present in ice creams egg yolks, whereas gelato does not often contain eggs.
These highly variable quantities and elements have an impact on the sensory properties and the fat content in each treat (the texture of the dessert on your tongue as you enjoy it).
Gelato only has 5–7%, but ice cream legally must have a minimum of 10% fat.
1.3 Preparation Of Gelato And Ice Cream
The difference between gelato and ice cream is in how they are prepared.
Dairy, sugar, and air are the three essential components that both gelato and ice cream share. Their relative sizes account for the disparity.
Sugar and dairy are combined, well blended, and pasteurized. Then, flavors—natural or artificial—are incorporated. After that, the mixture is churned and frozen to incorporate the air.
The amount of air introduced to the ice cream or gelato during production is measured by the overrun. Ice cream has a high overflow compared to gelato’s low overrun.
A thick custard is first made by cooking the ingredients for ice cream together. After cooling, the custard foundation is churned at a moderately fast speed to add air and enhance its volume.
Ice cream is quickly churned, which incorporates a lot of air. Cheaper ice creams tend to have more air and are not as rich in texture and flavors.
American ice cream has a higher fat content than gelato since it also has more air and cream than gelato. Additionally, gelato making rarely contains eggs, but ice cream frequently does. Instead, gelato typically has more milk in it and is churned at a much slower speed.
Egg yolks can serve as a stabilizer and source of fat. In addition to these stabilizers, commercial ice cream may additionally contain guar gum. These aid in the ice cream batter’s water and fat emulsification.
Additionally, stabilizers prevent the batter from containing huge ice crystals, which are unpleasant to consume.
2. Difference Between Gelato And Ice Cream
Image by Elsa Kurbanova from Unsplash
Gelato isn’t just the Italian word for ice cream; the difference between gelato and ice cream is based on various other factors.
The nutritional profiles of gelato and ice cream vary slightly due to the difference between gelato and ice cream preparation.
2.1. Nutritional Properties
Ice cream is defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dairy product with at least 10% of its calories coming from fat. However, a regular carton of ice cream may contain up to 25% calories from fat.
Gelato, on the other hand, typically has 4-9% fat, which is substantially a lower fat content than other frozen desserts. Additionally, it has more sugar than ice cream.
But it’s important to keep in mind that both are high in sugar. Vanilla ice cream can have 210 calories and 16 grams of sugar in a serving of 1/2 cup (78 grams).
In contrast, an equivalent serving of gelato (88 grams) has 17 grams of sugar and around 160 calories.
They are the favorite frozen treats of kids and adults. But they are designed to be enjoyed as a rare treat because they are both high in sugar and calories.
2.2. Ice Cream And Gelato Flavor And Texture
Image by Harry Cunningham from Pexels
You can sample a wide variety of flavors, from classics like vanilla, strawberry, and coffee to more odd ones like sweet basil and sweet potato, by examining the contents of the case at the grocery store or an ice cream parlor.
Because fat acts as a binding agent with the water molecules in the milk and provides a lighter density, higher-fat ice creams appear airy and fluffy.
However, the flavor spectrum for gelato is significantly more constrained. A few traditional flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, and stracciatella (vanilla with crunchy chocolate pieces), as well as pistachio, tiramisu, and a variety of fruit flavors, are available in gelato form. However, they are not always the same combinations as those you find in the ice cream section.
The difference in the two delicacies’ chemical makeups and storage methods have an impact on how they taste and feel in your tongue.
In addition, consuming colder food temporarily desensitizes the tongue, making it more challenging to experience the item since fat binds the tongue, creating a barrier between the sense of taste and the dish you are trying to eat.
The traditional gelato flavors are more powerful and come through more because it is warmer and lower in fat than ice cream. On the other hand, ice cream has smoother consistency due to its fine crystal texture.
2.3. Uses And Methods Of Serving
Image by Roman Odintsov from Pexels
In a Gelato shop, gelato is often served at a serving temperature of 6-8°C, or 10-15°F, a slightly warmer temperature than American-style ice cream. Your tongue isn’t as numb as it is while eating ice cream, which allows the flavors in gelato to flourish.
A flat spatula called a spade is used to serve it, and the spade’s movement helps soften the dish.
In contrast, ice cream is often served as a scoop using a spoon that is deeply rounded, and because of its increased fat content, it can be formed into hard, spherical balls.
3. Which One Should You Pick?
Image by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels
Do you prefer gelato or ice cream?
Ice cream can meet your needs if you like a cooler, firmer delight with a more buttery mouthfeel.
Gelato is the way to go if you prefer a richer, more intense blast of flavor and a silkier, lower-fat frozen delight. Gelato recipes are not completely frozen.
Regardless of your preference, ice cream and gelato should be consumed in moderation because they are high in calories and sugar.
Consuming excessive amounts of calories and added sugars might increase your chance of acquiring diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cavities.
Final Note
The difference between gelato and ice cream goes beyond just their name differences. Frozen treats like ice cream and gelato are both very common in the summertime. Some people actually prefer to have frozen desserts all year long.
Gelato is softer and flavorful, unlike ice cream, which is airier and has more fat. Both include a large amount of sugar. However, gelato is frequently made with much less fat.
If used carefully and infrequently, both can be a part of a balanced diet. To ensure your health, it’s advisable to limit your intake of foods that are heavy in sugar and calories.
A balanced diet can still include the odd treat of ice cream or gelato!
Treat yourself!
To read more articles, click here.
Last Updated on by ritukhare
