Decisions, Decisions!

Ice Cream Or Gelato?

I have been asked many times which I prefer…ice cream or gelato.

The answer to that question is : it depends on where I am eating it.

Ice cream here is far better here than in Italy. On the other hand, gelato there is far better than here.

Why? Well, around here, there are many dairies that make their own milk as some of them are working farms. Their milk is creamy and fresh. In Italy, very few dairies re-direct their milk to ice cream producers as the vasts majority of these producers make gelato as opposed to ice cream.

On the other hand, in Italy since only the large “commercial” manufacturers make ice cream , you will find that stuff in the frozen food aisle in the grocery store. It is just like ours: rock solid and not fresh.

Gelato in Italy, on the other hand is fresh, creamy, yummy.

Probably the biggest difference, however, is the prime ingredient: milk.

Here, most dairy cows eat wheat and grass chemically aided or genetically altered. This is not allowed in Europe. Did you know that 75% of all farmland in Italy would be considered “organic” here? The percentage is far less in the states.

That is why gelato tastes “different” here than in Italy. While some of it is tasty and very good and may even use imported flavorings from Italy, the basic ingredient…milk….is the difference-maker.

In the states there is nothing like licking a delicious ice cream on a hot day. The same hold true for gelato in Italy.

Price wise, gelato is much more expensive too. Why? Well, if you buy ice cream from “national” producers in the states, the ice cream is made in huge batches. In Italy, most gelataririas make small batches….sometime only a few liters at a time.

Her, toppings are usually candy, M&Ms, Reeces, chocolate…while in Italy fresh fruit or nuts is usually the preferred topping.

By the way, I have never found a banana split or a milk shake in Italy either.

Either way, ice cream or gelato is a great way to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Sherbet or Sorbito? Here the differences are less. In the states there is a wider range of flavors while in Italy lemon is by far the most popular.
Hmm…writing this piece is making me hungry! Gotta go and find something sweet to eat!