Three Different Types Of Ice Cream Around The World
Ice cream is undeniably a popular dessert in the United States. In fact, about 9% of all of the milk produced by American dairy farmers is used to make ice cream. Although June is the month in which the most ice cream is produced, Americans tend to eat ice cream all year ’round, especially when an event is happening. We love ice cream, whether we’re consuming it using ice cream cups, ice cream cones, or ice cream spoons. People enjoy the typical, more “old-fashioned” flavors like vanilla and chocolate — but they’re also ready to branch out a bit more. One of the way we do this is through trying exciting new flavors, some of which might not sound like the most appetizing desserts out there. For that matter, lots of people enjoy experimenting with making new ice cream flavors on their own. However, there are other ways of trying new types of ice cream — and ice cream isn’t only found in America. Ice cream is found in many different forms and flavors across the world. It might not be made in the same way as American ice cream; and it might not even have the same ingredients. But at the end of the day, ice cream is ice cream, right? Below, we’ll look into some things you can try with or without ice cream spoons. Who knows? You might find your new favorite desserts.
1. Gelato
Italian gelato is perhaps one of the most popular alternatives to American ice cream — in part because it’s fairly similar to American ice cream on a superficial level. The fact is that there is a big difference between real gelato and the gelato you might see in American grocery stores, or even in American restaurants. Gelato is often associated with the ice cream spoons gelato shop owners offer for taste tests — a practice that is commonplace in Italy, and perhaps not as common in the United States. It comes in a wide variety of flavors, with some being more popular and classic than others. For instance, you might want to try “nocciola” — a hazelnut flavor — or perhaps even “crema”, an egg-based flavor. Gelato’s difference from ice cream is largely found in its richness. This is because gelato contains between 3 and 8% milkfat, and 35 to 30% air. American ice cream, on the other hand, is made up of about 50% air. This means that gelato is much denser and creamier; and that’s why it has a following around the world.
2. Mochi
Mochi is a Japanese sweet that is perhaps the most popular alternative to American-style ice cream in Japan. While it may not look like ice cream, it has an ice cream filling. It’s sometimes described as a “dessert ball” which has a rice cake outer coating that forms around the ice cream filling. Some mochi ice cream balls have more traditional flavorings, like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Most people don’t eat mochi with ice cream spoons — but you can certainly try! It wouldn’t hurt. Some flavor mochi with coffee ice cream, plum wine, and even red bean — which in particular is a more traditional dessert flavoring in Japan. Some are also green tea flavored; and at the end of the day, many people prefer more adventurous flavors with mochi over traditional ones.
3. Halva Ice Cream
Halva ice cream is Israel’s alternative to American ice cream — and it’s certainly made of more unique ingredients than American ice cream. Typically, halva is made from sesame seeds that are crushed into a paste with sugar and honey. You’ll often see it being served with syrups and fruits, and is a perfect way to cool off in Israel, a country known for its hot temperatures.
