Gelato and Ice Cream: What is the difference?

Gelato has significantly less butterfat than ice cream's typical 18 and 26 percent. However, less fat does not mean less taste. With the lower butterfat content, gelato is less solidly frozen than ice cream and melts in the mouth faster. Therefore, you will taste gelato's full flavor immediately.

Gelato has a much higher density than ice cream. Ice cream is mad by mixing butterfat/cream, milk and sugar, then adding air. Mass producer of ice cream add more air when producing ice cream because it doubles the quantity of the ice cream. But, it cuts their quality in half. No air is added to gelato. Therefore, gelato is a higher quality dessert with a richer, creamier taste and 70% less fat than traditional ice cream.

Gelato is served slightly warmer than ice cream. Both gelato and ice cream are served well below the freezing temperature, gelato is served 10 to 15 degrees warmer than ice cream. Because gelato is less solidly frozen, gelato's taste is further enhanced as it melts in your mouth.

Why not let your palate experience the difference, preparing your own gelato from home could very well be a fun messy concoction. Try easy recipes such as Chocolate and Baileys.