Ice cream and gelato are both delicious frozen desserts and you may be wondering—is there really a difference? Is gelato just a fancy word for ice cream? Well, you’ll be surprised to learn there are several key differences, both on the ingredient side and in the way the desserts are prepared and served.
Ingredients
Ice Cream includes more egg yolks, which add richness and help stabilize the mixture. Ice cream also has more sugar mixed in. Gelato, on the other hand, uses more milk than cream and fewer egg yolks. Because of the difference in ingredients, gelato usually contains less fat than a typical ice cream.
Mixing Process
Both desserts are mixed or “churned” to be more specific, but ice cream is churned at a fast speed, which incorporates more air and creates a lighter texture. Gelato on the other hand is churned slowly, keeping the final product dense and rich.
Serving Temperature
Finally, there are different standards for what temperature to serve the desserts at. Ice cream is typically served at around -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it very firm. Gelato is usually served at a slightly warmer temperature, around 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, giving it a softer consistency.
