Imagine never having tried ice cream before (brutal, right?), and you walk into your local grocery store. You stumble upon the ice cream aisle and there are over a hundred different options. If you’d never had ice cream- how do you know which variety you might like the most? Seriously, which do you choose?
Okay okay. In reality, you have tried ice cream (at least we hope so). But just in case you might not know the difference between all the varieties you’ll likely run in to, we’re here to define them for you. Let's see how well you know your ice cream.
GELATO
Unlike American ice cream, Italian gelato is made with mostly whole milk, little to no cream, and no eggs. It is slow churned to create a rich, dense and super smooth consistency.
SORBET
Sorbet is made with no dairy whatsoever, just fruit and sugar! It is churned like ice cream and the consistency is usually smooth but can be icy/flaky also.
CUSTARD
Custard- our favorite! A super rich and decadent treat, frozen custard is made with an egg-yolk base and some mixture of cream & milk depending on the desired consistency.
Psst... we happen to have an incredible recipe for the Perfect Custard Base.
SHERBET
Like sorbet, sherbet is made with fruit puree and sugar but also includes a scant amount of dairy- typically low-fat milk. Because it is only slightly creamy, sherbet is lighter in texture than traditional ice cream.
FROZEN YOGURT
Frozen yogurt is made, as its title suggests, with a yogurt base for a creamy consistency and tangy flavor. It usually includes another form of low-fat dairy as well.
ICE CREAM
American ice cream- with which most of us are familiar, is made of milk and/or cream and sugar. It has a light, creamy consistency.
Whether you’re a classic vanilla fan, a chocolate lover, or someone who dreams up wild flavor combinations, homemade ice cream is all about creativity and having fun in the kitchen. With the right tools, a great base recipe, and a little imagination, you can create frozen treats that are better than anything you’ll find in the freezer aisle.
So grab your ice cream maker, gather your favorite mix-ins, and start experimenting! The best part of making ice cream at home is that there are no limits—just endless scoops of delicious possibilities. Happy churning!
