What is the Difference Between Gelato and Ice Cream?

The main differences between gelato and ice cream are the ingredients, texture, and serving temperature. Here are the key differences:

1. Ingredients: Gelato uses more milk and less cream than ice cream, and typically contains no egg yolks or eggs at all. Ice cream, on the other hand, has a higher fat content due to the use of more cream and egg yolks.
2. Texture: Gelato is denser and smoother than ice cream due to being churned at a slower rate, which introduces less air into the product. Ice cream is served at a colder temperature, which makes scoops hold together and results in a smoother, lighter texture.
3. Serving Temperature: Gelato is best served slightly warmer than ice cream, which helps maintain its soft and scoopable texture.
4. Intensity of Flavor: Some people claim that gelato has a more intense flavor than ice cream due to its lower fat content, as fat can coat the tongue and get in the way of tasting things.

In summary, gelato is a dense, smooth, and lower-fat alternative to ice cream, with a slightly warmer serving temperature. It is made with more milk and less cream than ice cream, resulting in a different texture and flavor profile.

Comparative Table: Gelato vs Ice Cream

Here is a table comparing the differences between gelato and ice cream:

Gelato and ice cream are both frozen desserts made from sugar combined with either milk, cream, or a combination of the two. However, they differ in ingredients, texture, fat content, churning speed, air content, and serving temperature.