Gold Coast food: The difference between ice cream and gelato

Did you know ice cream and gelato are very different? The Gold Coast gelato making sisters from Heven Yah tell us how.

Amy Prosser holds selection of gelati at Heven Yah at Mermaid Beach. Picture Glenn Hampson

SISTERS and owners of Heven Yah Artisan Gelato, Holly and Amy Prosser, want you to know something: There is a big difference between ice cream and gelato.

“Ice cream has a lot more fat incorporated into it,” Holly said.

“A large percentage of ice cream is also air, so its churning process takes a lot longer and it melts faster.

“And there is also water added into ice cream, which dilutes the flavour”

Heven Yah’s artisan gelato and sorbet. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Gelato, however, is the opposite.

“The gelato process is more delicate,” Holly said.

“The churning process is a lot shorter, it’s a lot denser and with less air it’s a far silkier, softer product and not too cold to the mouth either.

“Gelato isn’t supposed to have any water added to it either — it’s interfered with as little as possible for that full flavour.”