I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream...or Gelato? What Exactly Is the Difference Between Them?
Get the scoop on these two tasty treats.
No matter what you find yourself screaming for, if it's cold, sweet and creamy, it's going to be well worth all that yelling. When looking for an ice cream shop, you may have run into shops selling gelato instead and wondered if it was the same as ice cream. They look very similar and they are both frozen and creamy, but are they identical? When it comes to gelato vs. ice cream, you really can't go wrong with either one. However, there are some minor differences.
Even though gelato means "ice cream" in Italian, the way it is made is a little different than American ice cream. It's kind of like how macaroons are different from macarons—both are delicious for a dessert, but each has its own distinct taste and texture. No matter what flavor of ice cream you like, there will be a similar flavor of gelato that's just a little more intense.
There's no better way for you to determine if you like gelato or ice cream the best than to taste each for yourself. Then, you might have to try each again just to be sure! However, if you want to know other details about the two treats, here is everything that you need to know about gelato vs. ice cream.
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Gelato vs. Ice Cream
Both gelato and ice cream contain some of the same base ingredients including cream, milk and sugar. However, there are some distinct differences in texture and in taste, and it's primarily based on the amount of milk fat in each.
Gelato has a texture that is more dense and rich than ice cream. Some even say that it is a bit "elastic" in feel. Ice cream, on the other hand, is thinner and more creamy. That may be why ice cream is scooped and gelato is typically served with a spade.
Another big difference between gelato and ice cream is that gelato does not contain egg yolks and ice cream does. The amount of butter fat is also a pretty big difference. Ice cream contains about 14-25% butterfat whereas gelato only contains about 4-9%. This difference is what gives gelato a more intense taste than ice cream.
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What Is Gelato?
Gelato is an Italian style of ice cream that uses a ratio of more milk and less cream when compared to American-style ice cream. The colors of gelato tend to be quite vibrant which speaks to the more intense flavor.
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When Did Gelato Come to the United States?
According to Electro Freeze, gelato made its way to the U.S. when it was introduced by Italian Giovanni Biasiola in 1770. However, since ice cream was already introduced due to the hand crank freezer invention, gelato took backstage to the more common American ice cream.
Gelato did become popular in the United States in the 1900s, however, as it gained popularity throughout the world as a whole.
Are Gelato and Ice Cream Served at the Same Temperature?
One would think that the two treats would be served at the same basic temperature. However, gelato is typically served up to ten or fifteen degrees warmer. This may make you wonder if it then melts quicker as well, but that's not the case. Gelato actually has a slower melt, which gives it an advantage in the heat of the summer.
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Do Gelato and Ice Cream Both Require Churning?
Both gelato and ice cream need to be churned to get the creamy texture. However, the speed of churning separates the two. Gelato is churned at a slower speed which keeps too much air from getting in. This is one of the reasons that gelato has a denser consistency. Ice cream is churned faster and has about twice the amount of air incorporated into it.
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Which Is Healthier Between Gelato and Ice Cream?
Gelato contains less fat so may be thought of as healthier. However, both contain a lot of sugar which has no health benefits at all. So, neither of them really has an edge on health and should be eaten in moderation.
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