Some people use the term gelato and ice cream interchangeably
when talking about what kind of ice cream machine to buy. And
rightly so, as gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. However,
when referring to the machines which make each type of ice cream,
they are not the same.
Italian gelato and Italian ice cream are the same. Italian
gelato and American ice cream is not. This is because gelato
is made using a different process than regular American ice cream.
Gelato has a richer, creamier and denser texture, while the American
version is lighter, airier, and more likely to have ice crystals.
There are a two main reasons for the differences - ingredients
and the method of mixing.
Ingredients:
First, in general, gelato does not use eggs, while ice cream
does. However, there are valid gelato recipes which indeed do
use eggs. And some recipes require there to be a process where
you have to prepare the egg mixture before adding it to the machine.
By omitting the eggs, you can shorten the whole process.
Some people will use ice cream recipes in a gelato
maker. What they end up with is ice cream with a gelato texture.
Will it be the same as a gelato recipe in a machine designed for
gelato? Probably not, but probably close enough for many people
to be perfectly fine with the results.
Another difference is the milk which is used. The Italians use
whole milk, while the American counterpart uses actual cream.
Anyone who does baking, understands these can definitely affect
the texture - as well as the fat content and number of calories.
For this very reason, gelato makes a great alternative for those
who are dieting, yet still have a big sweet tooth.
As with many Italian
recipes, there are various types of recipes depending on the
region. I've even heard that some recipes can be made with water
instead of the standard whole milk for the liquid.
Method of Mixing:
One of the biggest differences between the two types of ice
cream is the process in which each is made. Regular American ice
cream can consist up to 50% air. The air is purposefully blended
in during the blending process. This creates a lighter texture
and as a result allow more quantity to be produced. How do they
allow for air to come into the mix? By not trying to keep it out.
Some ice cream machines do have lids, while other do not. But
remember, lids still let air in.
On the other hand, gelato is made with very little air, thus
the denser and richer consistency and flavor. Naturally, anytime
a person blends or whips ingredients together, air becomes a natural
part of that process. Just think of whipping an egg with a mixer
on high speed - the egg puffs up and create a nice foam. Why?
Because of the air and I'm sure a number of other scientific reasons
which I can't explain.
How then, does a person make Italian
ice cream without letting air get inside while blending. The
answer is in the design of the gelato maker and how tight the
"air tight" lid is. The Delonghi
GM6000 model for example, has what is called a hermetic closure
lid. What this means is that it creates a vacuum tight seal when
closed, thus preventing any air from entering while mixing. This
is one of the reasons why this Delonghi model is considered one
of the higher end machines for making gelato in the home. I've
seen other lower end models with lids as well, but no mention
of this specific design. In fact, I could not even find a website
for the company of one of the other brands at the time of this
writing.
Storing:
You can store your gelato in the freezer just like ice cream.
Simply remove the ice cream from the mixing bowl and place in
air tight containers and do not forget to label them. You can
also buy special pint
size plastic ice cream container
to house your special desserts. These can make excellent gifts
for friends and family, and many people will make special batches
for upcoming parties and picnics or just fun get-togethers.
There are advantages to making your own ice cream - whether
the Italian version or not, and that is the ability to control
the flavor and the quality of the ingredients. For example, you
can add in dried fruits or candies, or nuts like pistachio. Apparently
pistachio gelato is one of the favorites in Italy.
Although your machine will most likely come with a small recipe
book, it is a good idea to buy one or two ice cream or gelato
recipe books.
They will give you lots of great ideas and tips and tricks.
For more information on the Delonghi model mentioned in this
article, read my GM6000
Gelato Maker Review here.
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