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Q: Can you tell me the difference between ice cream, gelato, granita, sorbet, sherbet, and frozen yogurt?
A: Frozen treats are a good way to cool down this summer and it helps to know the differences between them all. Ice cream is basically a frozen custard that is made from eggs, dairy, and sugar. It contains at least 8 percent milk fat and depending on how much air is whipped into it, can be fairly soft to very firm. Gelato is similar to ice cream except that it has more egg yolks and contains less air. It's a much denser product and contains more fat.
On the lighter side, sorbets and granitas contain no dairy. They are made from a simple syrup that is flavored, usually with fruit and a few spices and herbs. Their textures differ because of how they are prepared. Sorbet is a creamy ice because it is churned until smooth. Granita is scraped so it becomes icy and slushy.
Sherbet is basically an ice milk (or sorbet with milk) and is a cross between ice cream and sorbet. It has a creamy and smooth consistency. Substituting buttermilk for the milk in sherbet is particularly refreshing.
Frozen yogurt is widely found in soft-serve or hard form. It's a healthier alternative to ice cream, containing vitamins, protein, calcium, and less fat.
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