As the weather gets warmer, it's the perfect time for ice cream or a gelato. Who am I kidding? It's the perfect time year round.

But what's the difference between gelato and ice cream?

Not everyone agrees. Some people say they're made with different amounts of fat. Others say it's all about the air content.

To add to the confusion, gelato is the Italian word for any type of ice cream. But in Australia, gelato refers to the frozen dessert of Italian origin.

Ice cream and gelato are both sweet desserts served cold. They both contain varying amounts of cream, milk, sugar, flavors, and sometimes eggs.

The fat component from the cream provides the richness, smoothness and body. Eggs are normally associated with gelato but can also be added to ice cream to enhance the richness.

Most commercial ice creams and gelato also contain emulsifiers. These are food additives that act as a stabiliser by preventing liquids that normally don't mix from separating. Emulsifiers have been linked to numerous gut symptoms. However most of the evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies, and there is limited robust evidence of this in humans.

Ice cream and gelato........

© Salon