Our love affair with ice cream knows no bounds. In fact, for most of us, life gets better with a spoonful of ice cream. No matter what your age is or if you are sad or busy, ice cream uplifts the mood at any time of the day. But picking your favourite frozen dessert can be a bit difficult at times, especially when you get multiple options to choose from. While ice cream continues to rule our hearts, gelato has recently grabbed the limelight as a premium option to indulge in. Then you have the summer staple- sorbet. If you've ever found yourself at the ice cream shop wondering what is the difference between ice cream, gelato and sorbet, then trust us, you're not alone. Although these desserts look somewhat the same, if you explore, you will find some basic differences in their taste, texture and composition. Let's elucidate further.
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What is ice cream?
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Ice cream is perhaps the most popular variant of frozen dessert. It is made with a base of cream, milk, and sugar, and then flavoured with a wide variety of ingredients, such as chocolate, fruit, and nuts. Ice cream can be served in cones, cups, or as a topping for other desserts.
What is gelato?
Gelato is an Italian dessert that is made with higher proportion of milk to cream. Alongside, the recipe includes sugar and flavourings, such as fruit or chocolate. Gelato has a dense, creamy texture and is typically churned at a slower speed than ice cream. This results in less air being incorporated into the mixture, giving the dessert a silkier texture. Gelato is often flavored with fruit, nuts, or chocolate, and can be served in cones or cups.
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What is sorbet?
Sorbet is a frozen dessert, made with fruit, sugar, and water. It includes no dairy in the recipe. Sorbet has a smoother, more granular texture than gelato or ice cream and is typically served as a palate cleanser between courses in a meal. Sorbet is also served as a dairy-free alternative to gelato or ice cream.
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Gelato vs Ice Cream - What is the big difference?
Ingredients:
Gelato typically has a higher proportion of milk to cream than ice cream, which means it has a lower fat content. Gelato usually contains less air than ice cream, giving it a denser texture. Additionally, gelato is often made with less sugar than ice cream.
Texture:
Ice cream is churned at a faster speed than gelato, which incorporates more air into the mixture and gives it a lighter, fluffier texture. Gelato, on the other hand, is churned at a slower speed, resulting in a denser and creamier texture.
Serving temperature:
Gelato is typically served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, which allows it to have a softer, smoother texture. Ice cream is usually served at a colder temperature, which gives it a firmer texture.
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Gelato vs Sorbet - What is the big difference?
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Ingredients:
Sorbet is typically made with a blend of fruit puree, sugar, and water, while gelato is made from milk, sugar, and flavourings, meaning, gelato has a higher fat content than sorbet. Gelato may also include eggs and cream, whereas sorbet is dairy-free.
Texture:
Sorbet is usually smoother and lighter than gelato, which has a dense, creamy texture. Gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, which results in a denser texture and less air being incorporated.
Serving temperature:
Sorbet is typically served at a colder temperature than gelato, which is typically served at a slightly warmer temperature to enhance its creamy texture.
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Sorbet vs Ice Cream - What is the big difference?
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Ingredients:
Ice cream is typically made with milk, cream and sugar. Sorbet, on the other hand, is made with fruit, sugar, and water. Sorbet is also dairy-free, making it a good option for those who are lactose intolerant.
Texture:
Ice cream is typically creamy and smooth, while sorbet is icier and has a granular texture. This is because sorbet does not contain any dairy, which helps give ice cream its creamy texture.
Serving temperature:
Sorbet is typically served at a colder temperature than ice cream, as it has a lower fat content and can melt more quickly.
Now that you know the difference, order your favourite frozen dessert like a pro.