All same meh?

“Let’s go have ice cream!” Yes. I’ve noticed that people nowadays have problem differentiating ice cream, gelato, frozen yoghurt and sorbet! “All same one lah!” It’s just the name says some people!

Well it’s not! If it is all the same, then why such terms are created, right? Let me enlighten you! *plays the chime* Well yes, they may be all frozen desserts and serves the purpose that is to satisfy your sweet tooth; however they differ from one another in terms of texture, ingredient and nutritional content. Also, varied combinations of ingredients, freezing temperatures, and whipping processes differentiate these sweet frozen treats from each other and put them in a category all on their own.

Haagen Dazs, courtesy of wowwoo.com

Let’s begin with ice cream. Basic ingredients in making ice cream are sugar, cream, flavour be it either natural or artificial, and milk. Famous brands include Baskin Robbins, Ben and Jerry and Haagen Dazs. Abundance of flavours, some even have very unorthodox and outrageous flavours. Ever heard of chilli flavour? Yikes! Ice cream has milk in it which is why vegans do not eat ice cream and will sort to other desserts like gelato and sorbet! I’m not a nutritionist but I do know that ice cream has high content of calories (and fat), the bad calories and not forgetting sugar! This is also a reason why ice cream is less preferred among those health-conscious types.

Gelatomio, courtesy of wowwoo.com

Gelato is Italian’s version of ice cream, but it has higher sugar content and melts easier compared to ice cream. The mixture of a typical gelato is similar to an ice cream. Gelato in Italy, by statute, must have at least 3.5% butterfat (milk fat) or less it would not be called a gelato based on the country’s standard. Gelato is preferred among Europeans as ice cream is preferred among the Americans.  Currently there’s over 5000 gelatai or gelato vendor all around the world. The famous one here in Malaysia would be Gelatomio.

Yogen Fruz, courtesy of wowwoo.com

Frozen yoghurt (its other name, Froghurt and Froyo) is now becoming the people’s favourite due to its nutritional content. Some just call it Tutti Frutti! Milk is replaced with cream in a typical mixture of frozen yoghurt which makes it less fattening! It may and may not contain live and active bacteria culture like typical yoghurt. Frozen yogurt has come to be used much like ice cream, and is served in a wide variety of flavours and styles. Customers have the option of adding various toppings, or of ordering their frozen yogurt in cups or in cones. Certain sellers offer sugar-free varieties. Frozen yoghurt made by some chains is tarter and closer to the original recipe, whereas other firms focus on making their frozen yogurt taste like ice cream.

And lastly is the sorbet (pronounced so-bay) is made from sweetened water flavoured with fruit and may contain liquor. People often confused sorbet and sherbet! Sorbet has ABSOLUTELY no milk and has the lowest fat among other frozen desserts in it however the sugar content may cause diabetes if eaten in large amount! Sherbet on the other hand contains dairy product. For those who are lactose intolerant sorbet is the best frozen dessert for you.

Well I hope this piece have given you a better insight on frozen desserts! Although I know people like my Papa will be heard saying “Aiya! It’s all the same one lah! You eat and you happy enough la”. But I do know those who like gaining new insights like my mother would appreciate this! 

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