As the scorching summer sun beats down relentlessly, sending temperatures skyrocketing to unbearable heights, the collective craving for a chilled, velvety treat reaches a fever pitch. But, have you ever stopped to ponder the intricacies of the frozen delight that's cooling your palate? The distinction between ice cream and frozen desserts, often shrouded in mystery leaves many of us blissfully unaware of what we're truly indulging in. With the vast array of frozen treats available, each boasting its own unique charm and characteristics, it's essential to decipher the differences between these creamy concoctions.

Here, we've drawn a comparison between the two chilled treats, ice creams and frozen desserts which will help you to make an informed choice and unravel the mystery behind your favourite frozen indulgence.

Ice Creams And Frozen Desserts

Frozen desserts comprise a vast and varied category of sweet treats, expertly crafted through the freezing of meticulously blended mixtures of liquids, solids and semi-solids in diverse proportions. While ice cream is a type of frozen dessert, not all frozen desserts meet the strict criteria to be considered ice cream, differing in ingredients and processing.

ALSO READ: Craving Sweet Lychees In Summer? 5 Tips To Pick The Best Ones Like A Pro

Differences Between Ice Cream And Frozen Yogurt

Fat Content

According to a study, ice cream must contain at least 10% milk fat and 6% non-fat milk solids to earn its name. If these levels are lower, the treat is classified as a frozen dessert, a distinct category with its own set of characteristics.

ice creams and frozen dessert difference

Difference between ice cream and frozen dessert (Image Credits: Canva)

Texture

Ice creams boast a luxurious, creamy texture and deep rich flavours due to their high milk fat content. In contrast, frozen desserts tend to be lighter and more watery with a milder flavour profile that's often achieved with added ingredients and stabilisers.

Making Process

Making ice cream is an intricate process requiring precise temperature control, specific ingredient ratios and careful churning. Frozen desserts offer a hassle-free and swift preparation process, characterised by flexible ingredient ratios and a shorter production timeline.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Most Expensive Ice Creams In The World: Strawberry Arnaud Tops With Jaw-Dropping Rs 12 Crore Price

Categorisation

Frozen desserts lack a standardised classification system whereas ice creams are categorised based on their milk fat content. Notably, all ice creams fall under the umbrella of frozen desserts but the reverse is not true, highlighting a key distinction between the two.

Labelling 

Distinguishing between ice cream and frozen desserts can be tricky due to their similar texture and taste. However, a glance at the label can reveal the difference. Look for edible vegetable oils and fats which are commonly listed on frozen dessert labels.