What is Gelato?

Q: "I discovered Gelato when I was in Italy. It was the most amazing tasting dessert I have ever had. I was just wondering - what exactly is Gelato?"

- William / Dayton, OH

A: Gelato is a fantastic frozen dessert that can some times be mistaken for ice cream. Gelato is actually made from water, milk (or soymilk) and is combined with flavorings, sweeteners, and a stabilizing agent.

Gelato's ingredients are first pasteurized then it is cooled at an extremely low temperature. The gelato is continually stirred during this cooling period. The stirring process breaks up ice crystals as they form during the super-cooling. Gelato differs from ice cream in the whipping process as the Gelato machinery whips close to no air into the gelato. The lack of air produces a dense and extremely flavorful product. Gelato is said to be more flavorful than ice cream.

Gelato is also available for those who are lactose intolerant. Gelato specifically made with water only (no dairy included) is called sorbet and is almost even more flavorful than regular Gelato.