Gelato

Italian-style ice cream, typically denser and silkier than American ice cream because it is churned with less air.

Gelato: a scoop of dense, smooth vanilla gelato in a small glass cup with a flat gelato spade beside it
  • Frozen desserts and sweet beverages
  • Italy

Also called: Italian ice cream

Gelato bases usually contain more milk and less cream than American ice cream, and many use fewer or no egg yolks. It is churned more slowly, so less air is beaten in, and it is often served a little warmer, which keeps it soft and lets the flavor come through strongly.

In Italy gelato also covers fruit sorbets, and it is traditionally made fresh and kept for a short time. Pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate and fior di latte, a plain milk flavor, are classics.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Gelato (Q1362405), Wikidata