The key distinction between gelato and sorbet is that gelato contains milk and cream, while sorbet is dairy-free. Both are popular frozen desserts, typically enjoyed on hot summer days. However, neither offers significant nutritional value. If you prefer less sugar, gelato may be the better choice, but if you’re looking to avoid fat and calories, sorbet is the ideal option.
Key Takeaways
- Gelato is a creamy, frozen dessert made with milk, cream, and sugar, with fewer calories than American ice cream.
- Sorbet is a dairy-free frozen dessert made with fruit purée and sugar, and is low in calories and fat-free.
- The primary difference between gelato and sorbet is that gelato contains milk and cream, while sorbet is dairy-free and made with fruit purée and sugar.
What is Gelato?
Gelato is a creamy, frozen dessert made using milk, cream, and sugar. In Italian, it is referred to as ice cream and has fewer calories than American ice cream. Gelato is generally made using less amount of air, which makes it denser, smoother, and fluffy. Other than milk and sugar, it has cream, egg yolk, and various flavoring ingredients. Since it has more milk and less cream, gelato has a low fat content when compared to regular ice cream.
The procedure of making gelato is the same as making regular ice cream but slower and with little air. Then it is frozen at warmer temperatures. Since gelato is creamy, this is generally consumed in small portions. Since it is high in calories and fat content, gelato is not much healthy for you.
Gelato is served in crunchy waffle cones or small cups so that you can enjoy it while walking or chatting with your friends. It is also served with apple cake, Caprese cake, or fresh strawberries. Some popular gelato flavors are hazelnut, chocolate, pistachio, strawberry, vanilla, and lemon.
You can even make gelato at home. First, you have to make a base using milk, cream, and sugar over medium heat. After these ingredients are blended, you can add flavorings, fruits, or nuts. Then while it gets cooled, churn it slowly using an ice cream maker or hand mixer.
What is Sorbet?
Sorbet is a dairy-free frozen dessert made using fruit purée and sugar. Wine or honey also can be added to this mixture. Alcohol is added to reduce its icy texture. Sorbet is low in calories than regular ice cream and fat-free. Since it does not contain milk and cream, it is best for people who are lactose intolerant. Due to the same reason, it does not have any nutritional calcium value. However, sorbet has more sugar and is not recommended if you are allergic to sugary food. Plus, it may increase your blood sugar level.
Sorbet is made in an ice cream maker relatively faster and with a little aeration. Fresh fruits like strawberries, grapes, bananas, and watermelon are commonly used in making this, and the flavor of the sorbet depends on the fruits used. It is recommended to use fruits that are high in pectin and fiber because they act as thickeners and give a beautiful texture without any milk or cream. Since sorbet is dairy-free, it has a light and icy texture.
What is the Difference Between Gelato and Sorbet?
The key difference between gelato and sorbet is that gelato is made using milk and cream, whereas sorbet is dairy-free and contains fruit purée and sugar. Moreover, gelato has less sugar and more calcium, calories, and fat content, while sorbet has more sugar and no fat content.
Summary – Gelato vs Sorbet
Gelato is a creamy, frozen dessert made using milk, cream, and sugar. It has less sugar and more calcium, calories, and fat content, mainly because of the milk and heavy cream in it. It has a fluffy, dense, and smooth texture because it is churned slowly with little air. On the other hand, sorbet is a dairy-free frozen dessert made using fruit purée and sugar. It is high in sugar, and since milk and cream are not used, it is free from calcium and fat. High-pectin fruits are used in making sorbet, and the flavor depends on the fruits used. So, this is the summary of the difference between gelato and sorbet.
