Gelato vs. Ice Cream: What's the Difference?

Gelato vs. Ice Cream: What’s the Difference?

You can’t take a trip to Italy without sampling the many tasty varieties of gelati (singular: gelato) that Italy is quite famous for. With the summer heat (and humidity) in full swing, what better way to cool off than a delicious and refreshing gelato (or two, or three…)?

italian adjectives gelato

But, what exactly is gelato? It’s Italy’s version of ice cream but it isn’t like the American ice cream you would find in your local Ice Cream Parlour or in the frozen foods of your local supermarket. I was curious to find out how these two “ice creams” differ? So I did a little research and this is what I came up with…

Gelato vs. Ice Cream:

Gelato uses whole milk whereas American ice cream uses cream.
Gelato is churned at a slower speed than American ice cream, which results in less air being mixed into the mixture giving it a denser consistency than American ice cream. Also, American ice cream has air added to it during the whipping process. The high density of the gelato allows for a much richer flavour.
Gelato is stored and served at a slightly warmer temperature than American ice cream.

Gelato definitely takes the win in my books. There is no beating the absolutely delicious taste of some nocciola (hazelnut) gelato on a hot summer day. Oh and I almost forgot to mention, gelato is lower in fat than American ice cream. (Ok, so you can’t go eating it 24/7 but still…I’ll take it!)

What’s your favourite gelato flavour?? Bet you can’t pick just one!

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LuLu

Originally from Toronto but currently living in Calabria, blogging about my life and love for all things Italian!

LuLu
July 25, 2008 at 11:16 am

Lucy – Really? That’s interesting. There are a couple places near me that serve gelato but it just isn’t the same as the kind you find in Italy!
LuLu
July 25, 2008 at 10:48 am

Leanne – I’m a dumbass…I totally forgot to put an email address up on my blog. I’m going to get on that right away!! I was thinking the same thing the other day….I think we are quite similar too! I can’t explain the connection I have to Calabria and Italy. It is something that is always there and not a day goes by that I don’t think about it. Kind of cheesy but its the truth 🙂
lucy
July 25, 2008 at 10:12 am

I have to say they sell it at DOMINION supermarkets now displayed the same way!
But I must add, except for the Limone ice, they don’t taste the same! I dream of gelato on a brioche for breakfast everyday!

Lucy
Leanne
July 23, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Hi Lulu,
Just wanted to comment on the comment you left of Michelle’s blog about feeling more comfortable and more you when you embrace your Italian blood and that you always felt you were not meant to live in the country you were born. (I could not find an email address anywhere on your site!)

Just wanted to say that I feel we may be quite similar as I too am 29 and I too always felt that I was not meant to live in Australia where I was born. I always new some how that I just *had* to live in Italy…it is hard to describe but I just felt it… Maybe it’s something to do our age and having Calabrese blood!
LuLu
July 17, 2008 at 2:46 pm

Mel – There is a great gelato place in Woodbridge called “Gelato, Gelato” and they make some pretty darn good gelato….not as good as Italy though.

Leanne – My favorite is nocciola too!! And sometimes I’ll pair it with Tiramisu! It’s so hard to choose sometimes…you look at all the flavors and you want them all.
Leanne
July 16, 2008 at 8:41 am

My fav has to be nocciola. I love, love, love it and have the best gelato shop close by. I also like bacio. YUM!
Mel
July 13, 2008 at 9:57 am

I always find it hard to choose a flavour of gelato. My faves would have to be nocciola, torrone (the really good kind with actual pieces of nougat in it), and zabaglione. On a really hot summer day, though, it has to be refreshing limone!
Liz
July 12, 2008 at 11:17 pm

you’re right…impossible to pick just one flavor!! My fav’s are stracciatella, pistacchio, nocciola, amarretto…..I could go on. There is a gelateria near my house that makes some interesting flavors sometimes, like rose petal, lavender honey and maple bacon. My fidanzato only likes the dark chocolate. He’s a creature of habit. I’m sure you’ll be enjoying some great gelato when you are in Italy. My Ale is coming in a week and a half and I hope he brings me some torrone! Yum! I wonder if they make torrone gelato…hmm, that would be delicious!!