American Ice Cream versus Italian Gelato explanation through Palermo's Gelato Festival

Want to know the difference between American ice cream versus Italian Gelato?

This video below will explain the differences while I walk through the gelato festival that is held in Palermo, Sicily every November.

In this video I am at the Sherbeth International Gelato (Ice Cream) festival.

In Italian it is called Il Festival Internazionale del Gelato Artiginale or an international artisan gelato festival.

This takes place on Via Maqueda, near the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. You can see in the video it is a festive environment with music and many people enjoying the day and having a good time. The Sherbeth Festival takes place over a few days in Palermo, usually on a Thursday through Monday.

So what is the difference between American ice cream versus Italian gelato? We all know they are both delicious.

American Ice Cream versus Italian Gelato differences

Ice cream and gelato are both made with sugar. With regard to eggs, gelato typically does not contain eggs whereas ice cream is made with eggs. Ice cream is made with heavier cream thus it contains more fat.

The texture is more fluffy and creamy for ice cream since it is churned faster. Thus there is more air churned into ice cream and it is quicker. The air churning in gelato is slower. Ice cream is best served cold whereas gelato is served at a warmer temperature. Ice cream is typically made in a more industrialized factory environment where they make many batches at one time.

The artisan gelato production process is done with smaller batches, it’s more of a handmade production process. Gelato tends to be healthier, on average, than ice cream in general. When you come to Italy, you should definitely savor some gelato. And if you are in Palermo in mid-November then check out the Sherbeth Artisan Gelato Festival.

Palermo Sherbeth International Gelato Festival

Every November in Palermo you can savor gelato from the various expert artisans from all over the world that converge in town to showcase their talents. You can buy groups of tickets for various prices and that will allow you to sample up to 30 different flavors and styles from the various artisans.

And after you savor some of that gelato you will say molto delizioso! This expression in Italian means very delicious!