What's the difference between Gelato and Ice Cream?
You probably didn't realise, as we use both terms interchangeably but gelato and ice cream are two different things. Both of these icy desserts are crafted from milk and cream but it's the quantity of each and the churning process that differs.
Ice cream as the name suggests contains more cream than milk, whereas gelato contains more milk than cream. Another difference is that ice cream often includes whipped egg yolks where gelato is egg-free.
Gelato is churned at a slower speed, resulting in a denser texture that is around one quarter air. Ice cream is churned faster which incorporates more air into the mixture (up to 50 per cent).
Which is healthier?
When it comes to the nutritional value of the two, gelato comes out on top (if you're comparing two of a similar variety). One scoop of vanilla ice cream contains 7g of fat, 14g of sugar and 125 calories whereas a scoop of vanilla gelato contains 3g of fat, 10g of sugar and 90 calories.
1. Cremeria De Luca
Location: Five Dock
Open: Tuesday to Sunday
Arguably one of Sydney’s oldest ice creameries, Cremeria De Luca has been serving the locals of Five Dock traditional Sicilian desserts since 1937. They are most famous for their fruity granitas and decadent gelato burger.
2. Ciccone & Sons
Location: Redfern
Open: Wednesday to Sunday
Ciccone & Sons have been serving up some of Sydney’s most delicious ice cream in the middle of Redfern for over 20 years. Their gelato is made from locally sourced produce so every time you go in you’ll be delighted by a new array of flavours.
3. Cow & the Moon
Location: Enmore
Open: everyday
A stone's throw from the Enmore theatre on a hot summer’s day people will be lined around the block for a scoop of Cow & the Moon’s award-winning gelato. With over 25 flavours of gelato and an array of cake and desserts, there’s something for every sweet tooth.
4. Gelato Franco
Location: Marrickville
Open: Tuesday to Sunday
With a homey, relaxed feel Gelato Franco is the inner-west locals favourite ice creamery. With a creative array of gelato flavours and melt in your mouth sorbets, add Gelato Franco to your list.
5. Rivareno Gelato
Location: Darlinghurst
Open: everyday
If you’re after decadently creamy, traditional Italian gelato look no further than Rivareno Gelato. Made daily, from traditional Italian recipes they won’t disappoint.
6. Bellingen Gelato
Location: Rozelle
Open: everyday
Award-winning gelateria Bellingen Gelato boasts an array of homemade recipes and flavours for just about anyone. From traditional flavours to their more famous creations like Caramelised Fig & Marsala.
7. Gelato Messina
Location: Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Roseberry, Bondi
Open: everyday
No list would be complete without the famous Gelato Messina. Messina first opened their Darlinghurst doors in 2002 and have been on a whirlwind path ever since, expanding into Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra in 2017. Messina is home to 35 traditional flavours and five rotating specials that entice and excite so don’t forget to follow them on Instagram to stay up with the latest.