Summer is right around the corner, so that means it’s socially acceptable to eat ice cream again! Just kidding, we know that sub zero temperatures aren’t a valid excuse to not enjoy this frozen treat. While on the topic of ice cream, one thing that has always confused me about it is how there are so many different types. Like what’s the difference between ice cream and frozen custard? Is frozen custard a type of ice cream? Are they two completely separate things that just happen to look and taste similar? What makes soft serve different than regular ice cream? Do they make it a different way? Is there a secret ingredient? These are just a few of the many burning questions I have, and you might have them too. So I decided to set out to find the answers to my questions and to find out more about these desserts.

After doing a bit of research, the distinguishing factor between these treats is the ingredients, whether it be different proportions, or an entirely new ingredient all together. Five desserts I am going to be comparing are custard, frozen yogurt, soft serve, gelato and regular ice cream.

Ice cream: According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), food need to have at least 20% milk solids, and 10% milk fat by weight in order to be labeled “ice cream”.

Custard: To turn ice cream into custard, egg yolk is added. There is nothing else that distinguishes this from regular ice cream.

Frozen Yogurt: This is essentially regular ice cream blended with yogurt. This creates the more tangy taste delivered by fro-yo.

Gelato: This is made using lots of milk, and little to no cream. It is also churned with much less air, making it much more dense.

Soft Serve: This is made with less milk fat than regular ice cream, and is churned with much more air in order to make it less dense.

In the beginning of this journey, I wasn’t completely sure why I wanted to know this information, other than for the purpose of curiosity. Having learned the differences and distinguishing factors between these frozen desserts, I have now realized it is the perfect key to satisfy any specific craving. Now go forth, fellow ice cream enthusiasts, and enjoy!

Sources: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/ice-cream-custard-gelato-yogurt.htm

https://pralinesownmade.com/makes-hard-soft-serve-ice-cream-different/