What Is Gelato?

When you spot a display of irresistible pastel-colored frozen desserts, it might look like ice cream at first but it’s probably gelato. Never heard of gelato? In simple terms, it is an Italian ice cream known for its intense flavor and rich texture. It is a perfect summertime treat on a hot day.

What is the difference between gelato and ice cream? Is it the same thing as sorbet? Gelato can be compared to both ice cream and sorbet, but the differences lie in the ingredients and the process of making it. There are benefits to choosing it over ice cream because it has less fat and calories. And compared to sorbet, gelato tends to have a more pronounced flavor. If you haven’t given gelato a try, let us give you the inside scoop on why you should.

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• What is Gelato?
• Gelato vs. Ice Cream
• Gelato vs. Sorbet
• Is Gelato Healthy?
• How To Make Gelato
• Where To Buy Gelato

What Is Gelato?

This Italian ice cream is known for its dense texture and intensity of flavor. It’s the irresistible display of pastel colors that looks like ice cream, but upon closer examination, you’ll see that it looks more like ice cream that has melted slightly and refrozen. If it looks more like a fudge than ice cream, you know you’ve found gelato.

What Is Gelato Made Of?

It’s made from the same ingredients as ice cream — milk and cream, sugar, eggs (sometimes) and flavoring. It also tends to be more about fruit-forward flavors than ice cream. Gelato is the frozen treat typically used to make a popular Italian dessert known as affogato.

Is Gelato Dairy Free?

Does gelato have dairy? Because the key ingredients are milk and cream, gelato is not suitable for dairy-free diets unless the labels specifically say it is made with dairy-free ingredients. If you are looking for a refreshing frozen treat that does not contain dairy, consider trying sorbet, which is made with fruit juice and typically does not contain dairy.

Does Gelato Have Gelatin?

Based on the name, you might think that gelato has gelatin. Gelatin is an animal-based protein, so it is not appropriate for vegetarian or vegan diets. Generally, this frozen treat does not contain gelatin (though it’s always smart to read labels if you are concerned about ingredients). However, it does contain milk, cream and eggs, which are all animal products.

What Is Stracciatella Gelato?

One of the best ways to enjoy this Italian dessert is in a stracciatella. Stracciatella gelato is similar to chocolate chip ice cream, but it is more refined. It is made with vanilla gelato that has a fine drizzle of chocolate mixed in during the churning process which results in tiny slivers of crunchy chocolate in the final texture.

Gelato vs. Ice Cream

So, how is it different from ice cream? While the two products are made with the same ingredients, the difference comes from how each is made. Let's explore these processes in a little more detail.

How Is Gelato Made vs. Ice Cream?

Firstly, compared to ice cream, it is churned more slowly which results in a denser texture. Slow churning means less air gets incorporated into the final product. Gelato will have 25 to 30 percent air. Ice cream, which is churned faster, incorporates as much as 50% air to get that creamier texture.

In order to preserve the denser texture of gelato, it is typically stored and served at a higher temperature than ice cream. Ice cream needs to be stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it doesn’t melt, while gelato is stored and served at 15 degrees.

Is Gelato Healthier Than Ice Cream?

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to ice cream, you can feel slightly less guilty by reaching for gelato. It uses less milk and cream than ice cream, so the fat content is between three and eight percent. Ice cream’s fat content is typically ten to eighteen percent. As with any tasty treat, it’s all about moderation for a healthy diet.

Gelato vs. Sorbet

What is the difference between gelato and sorbet? Sorbet is often presented in a display case of colorful pastels so it looks very similar to ice cream and gelato. Sorbet is similar to gelato in that the main focus tends to be fruit flavor, but sorbet is made using fruit juice instead of milk and cream. It’s a dairy-free product that is lighter in texture compared to gelato, which can be quite dense. 

Is Gelato Healthy?

Gelato has less fat than ice cream but more than sorbet. Eating gelato is considered a healthier choice than ice cream, but it depends on how much you eat and what other ingredients are mixed in.

How Many Calories Are in Gelato?

Gelato will typically have fewer calories than ice cream. A three-ounce portion of vanilla gelato will have about 90 calories compared to 125 calories for the same portion of ice cream. 

Is Gelato Gluten-Free?

Almost any gelato will be gluten-free because it is made primarily with fruits and dairy. That said, depending on what flavor you choose, it’s always wise to check labels if you are looking to avoid gluten.

Is Gelato Vegetarian?

Vegetarians can enjoy gelato and ice cream because neither contains meat products. Both gelato and ice cream do contain dairy products and eggs, so keep that in mind depending on how strict your diet is. 

Is Gelato Vegan?

Traditional gelato is not vegan because it is made with animal by-products. Fortunately, there are now many vegan-friendly alternatives, so look for those near the vegan ice creams. 

How To Make Gelato

If you want to make gelato at home, you’ll want to start by finding a good recipe that has the correct proportions of milk, cream, sugar and eggs. Not all gelato recipes contain eggs, but traditional Italian gelato usually includes them. You will need an ice cream maker, and you can get a good result with it as long as the speed is adjustable. The key to gelato’s dense texture is slow churning so that less air gets incorporated. 

If you have never tried making ice cream or gelato before, you can learn from a professional by taking cooking classes near you or enrolling in a class online that features this frozen Italian treat. 

Where To Buy Gelato

Gelato is best enjoyed on a warm afternoon while strolling along the beach. If you're luck enough to be in Italy, you'll likely find gelato before you find ice cream. If you're not, keep an eye out for it at seaside ice cream parlors. You can also buy gelato in upscale grocery stores, where you'll usually find it stocked near ice cream and frozen yogurt.

There’s something irresistible about the signature display of gelato’s pastel colors. Gelato tends to come in more exotic and exciting flavors than ice cream, and it can also be a healthier alternative for those looking to make smarter choices when it comes to treats. What's more, whilst you can certainly enjoy gelato by itself, it can be used to make incredible sundaes and shakes! However you choose to enjoy it, this delicious and refreshing treat is perfect for the warmer months of spring and summer. All you need to do is decide which flavor to try first. 

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.