Few things are as satisfying as a spoonful of cold, creamy, sweet dessert. For those with a sweet craving, frozen treats like ice cream and gelato offer many options. Both are made with a base of milk, cream, and sugar, then churned, but understanding “What Is The Difference Between Gelato And Ice Cream” is key to choosing the perfect indulgence. Ice cream generally boasts a higher fat content due to a greater cream-to-milk ratio. It’s also known for its light, airy texture thanks to rapid churning. Gelato, conversely, typically contains more milk than cream, resulting in a denser, softer, and more intensely flavored experience.
It’s important to note that these are broad generalizations. Gelato, in Italian, simply means “ice cream,” but preparation methods vary globally. Artisans worldwide craft gelato and ice cream based on unique specifications.
Here’s a breakdown of the key distinctions to help you choose between these frozen delights.
What is Ice Cream?
Ice cream is typically made with heavy cream, milk, sugar, and sometimes eggs or egg yolks. This base is churned in an ice cream maker before any mix-ins are added. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ice cream must have a minimum of 10% milk fat by weight. Most commercial brands range from 14% to 25% fat. (This refers to traditional “hard” ice cream; soft-serve ice cream typically contains less milk fat, around 3% to 6%.)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1287708013-a37a0f455b9b4762b5eb270efc1367a6.jpg “Classic vanilla ice cream scoop.”)
The style of ice cream also varies significantly. French-style ice cream incorporates egg yolks into the base, while American or Philadelphia-style ice cream omits eggs entirely. You may also encounter “frozen dairy dessert” labeled pints, which contain less than 10% milk fat by weight or exceed the FDA’s “overrun” limit (the amount of air incorporated during churning).
What is Gelato?
The Italian word “gelato” translates to “ice cream,” but the two aren’t identical. Gelato has a lower milk fat content than ice cream, typically between 4% and 9%. This results in a softer, denser texture with smaller ice crystals. This is due to a base that uses less cream and more milk, coupled with a slower churning process that introduces less air. The base may or may not include eggs.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1291525581-8c7d52430a7144d9a7507a031a82196a.jpg “Colorful display of various gelato flavors in a traditional gelateria.”)
Gelaterias typically keep their display cases at a warmer temperature than ice cream shops, further contributing to gelato’s silkier texture. While there’s no U.S. legal standard for gelato, the Italian government mandates a minimum milk fat content of 3%. You can prepare gelato at home using an ice cream maker with a slow-churn setting.
Frozen Custard: Another Contender
While some ice cream recipes include eggs, frozen custard, according to the FDA, must legally contain at least 1.4% egg yolks. Like ice cream, it must also have a minimum of 10% milk fat by weight.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1324350404-7a42b3604d58461392f7791be5e66524.jpg “Rich and creamy frozen custard texture.”)
Retail shops often make frozen custard in machines that incorporate minimal air, resulting in a richer, silkier product, texturally similar to gelato, but with a pronounced custard flavor from the egg yolks.
The Key Differences: Ice Cream vs. Gelato
The main distinctions between ice cream and gelato lie in the ingredients’ proportions and churning speed. Gelato has less milk fat than ice cream, is churned at a slower speed, and is typically served at a warmer temperature. This introduces less air into the dessert, leading to a softer and denser texture. Frozen custard, on the other hand, always contains egg yolks and is usually made with minimal air incorporation, resulting in a richer, denser texture. So, next time you’re faced with the delicious dilemma, you’ll know “what is the difference between gelato and ice cream” and can confidently choose the perfect frozen treat!
