Have you ever wondered what the difference is between gelato vs ice cream? You’re not alone. At first glance, they may look very similar, but the ingredients, production methods, texture and flavour is what makes all the difference.
At the heart of great gelato is quality, and when it is made with carefully selected ingredients and an authentic Italian recipe the difference can be tasted in every spoonful.
What Is Gelato?
Gelato in Italian translates to “frozen” and is used to describe an Italian-style frozen dessert that is traditionally made from milk, cream, sugar and flavourings.
One of the distinctive characteristics of authentic Italian gelato is its balance of dairy ingredients. Gelato is typically made with more milk and less cream than traditional ice cream, resulting in a lower fat content.
Gelato is also generally churned slower than ice cream therefore helping incorporate less air into the mixture, giving gelato its wonderfully dense and silky, smooth consistency.
5 Key Differences: Gelato vs Ice Cream
Although both are delicious frozen desserts, there are several key differences between them.
Milk and Cream
One of the biggest differences is the balance of dairy ingredients.
Gelato generally contains more milk and less cream, while ice cream typically contains a higher proportion of cream. This results in a lower fat content in gelato, allowing its flavours to come through more clearly.
Air and Churring
Ice cream is generally churned at a faster rate, incorporating more air into the mixture, helping to create its lighter, fluffier texture.
Whilst gelato is churned more slowly, incorporating less air, resulting in its creating dense and silky consistency.
Serving Temperature
Gelato is typically served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream due to the fact that extremely cold temperatures can dull our perception of flavour. This helps give gelato its smooth texture and allows flavours to come through stronger and more intense.
Texture
Texture is one of the easiest ways to tell the two apart.
Ice cream tends to be light, fluffy and rich, while gelato is usually denser, smoother, and softer. Both offer different experiences, but the silky texture of gelato is what makes it so distinctive.
Flavour
Gelato flavours can taste particularly vibrant and fresh due to it containing less fat and being served at a slightly warmer temperature.
In contrast, the higher fat content of ice cream creates a richer, creamier and softer taste.
A Quick Comparison
Gelato | Ice Cream |
|---|---|
Originally for Italy | Developed across the world |
More milk | More cream |
Lower fat content | Higher fat content |
Less air incorporated | More air incorporated |
Dense, silky texture | Light, creamy texture |
Served slightly warmer | Served colder |
Intense, bold flavour | Rich, creamy flavour |
Ultimately, gelato and ice cream aren't competing versions of the same dessert. They have different ingredients, techniques, textures, and traditions that make them both wonderfully different.
What Makes Our GELARTO Gelato Unique?
At GELARTO, great gelato starts long before it reaches the freezer.
Our creation starts in the Piemonte region of Italy, near Turin, where we use fresh milk from our own herd of dairy cows and carefully select high-quality ingredients.
We believe great gelato doesn't need unnecessary ingredients. Instead, it's about choosing the right ingredients and using them thoughtfully to create beautifully balanced, authentic flavours.
We also use pure Piemonte mountain water and preserve our gelato at -18°C, in the crisp, cold conditions of the Alps. This helps to maintain our gelato’s quality and texture.
For us, creating great gelato is about more than simply making a frozen dessert. It's about bringing together Italian tradition, quality ingredients and thoughtful production methods to create gelato worth savouring.
Introducing Our New Caffè Latte Range
Our dedication to quality is brought to life in our new Caffè Latte range, inspired by the indulgence of a perfectly crafted flavoured latte.
Our four delicious flavours coming soon:
Vanilla • Sea Salted Caramel • Pistachio • Hazelnut
Each flavour transforms that familiar experience into premium, Italian gelato, combining that smooth, silky texture with bold, distinctive flavour in every tub.
Discover GELARTO
Whether you’re a lifelong gelato fan or simply curious about what makes gelato different, there’s much more to discover.
Join us on socials to find out more: @wearegelarto