Ice cream and Gelato
A scoop of something creamy and sweet is one of life’s great pleasures. Fans of frozen desserts have plenty of options to satisfy a sweet tooth, including ice cream and gelato. Although these summer staples are both made with a base of milk, cream, and sugar that is churned by hand or machine, they’re not the same. Ice cream typically has a higher fat content than gelato, thanks to a higher ratio of cream to milk. It also has an airier, fluffy texture from the faster speed at which it’s churned. On the flip side, gelato often has more milk than cream in the base and may be described as denser, softer, more intense in flavor, and even elastic.
Note that these are all generalizations (although ice cream does have a legal definition in the U.S. — more on that later). Artisans around the world may make their gelati and ice cream according to different specifications, and if we’re really getting technical, gelato is the Italian word for ice cream.
Definition of Soft Serve Ice Cream
Soft serve ice cream is a type of frozen dessert that is served at a warmer temperature compared to traditional ice cream. It is made using a soft serve machine, which is specifically designed to freeze the ice cream mixture while simultaneously incorporating air. The result is a lighter and softer texture that melts in your mouth.
One key distinction between soft serve and regular ice cream lies in its ingredients. Soft serve ice cream typically has a lower milk fat content compared to regular ice cream. While regular ice cream is made with a higher percentage of milk fat and also includes egg yolks, soft serve does not require these ingredients. Instead, soft serve relies on a liquid base that is specially formulated to freeze quickly, resulting in its characteristic creamy texture.
The air content in soft serve ice cream is another factor that sets it apart from traditional ice cream. Soft serve machines introduce air into the ice cream mixture during the freezing process. This incorporation of air creates a lighter and fluffier texture, making soft serve a delight to savor.
