Gelato

I was talking to a friend on my mobile phone… asking me where I was currently at since he was hearing loud music and some noise. “I’m eating at Giardino Gelato”, I said. He was somewhat confused of what I was saying, so I said “I’m eating ice cream” instead.

Filipinos know ice cream orsorbetes, and know no other term for the frozen treat. I only found out about gelato back in 2005 (I think), from the Italian ice cream cart, Fiorgelato.

But is there really a difference between gelato and ice cream? Well, obviously, aside from it’s spelling  and term, they are pretty much the same. Gelato is an Italian word for ice cream or sorbet which means a sweet treat served frozen, but basically it just means “frozen”. However, most gelatos are made different from the american ice cream recipe. If you have tried gelato, you would notice the distinct less-sweet-taste compared to the traditional ice cream. Most gelatos are made with 4-8% butterfat than the regular ice cream with 14% butterfat. This is also the reason why gelatos can be stored for months compared to the conventional ice cream.

Would I prefer gelato over traditional ice cream? I would say, it depends. Sometimes I love to eat something sweeter. Ice cream has that full taste which gelato doesn’t have. I feel like I’m on a diet when I’m eating gelato. I think traditional ice cream would quench that sweet frozen craving (which I experience time to time .

Is eating gelato a healthier choice? I would still agree to the saying about too much of anything is bad for you. No matter how many times a food endorsement claims that it’s 100% fat free or 99% low in calorie, it is still better to watch your diet. Just find the enjoyment of discovering new taste in a watchful manner.