When visiting Rome, gelato was an absolute must! I'm fairly certain I indulged in this cool treat every single day. Perhaps more than once a day...

One afternoon, hoping for a more authentic experience I visited a charming smaller gelato shop. Quaint and a bit dark, it seemed like a small family-run business. Of course, this must be better than the other shop I'd been frequenting, which seemed more like a chain.

Big mistake. Big! HUGE!

It was not good. It didn't seem very fresh and was lacking the usual dense, creamy texture...major fail. And I was only in Italy for a few days...so I may have immediately fled to another shop. Good gelato is always worth it!

When in Rome...literally.

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Ingredients in Strawberry Gelato

• Strawberries
• Whole Milk
• Heavy Cream
• Sugar
• Honey
• Lemon Juice
• Powdered Sugar

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Gelato vs. Ice Cream

Both are creamy, frozen treats loaded with dairy and sugar. Gelato contains a lot more milk, and possibly a little cream. It is softer, with a more concentrated flavor. Ice cream uses more cream, sometimes egg yolks, and has a higher fat content. Ice cream is also churned at a faster rate, which leads to more air. Gelato literally translates to "frozen." Though the true inventor is not known, credit is often given to Bernando Buontalenti in the 16th century.

Gelato vs. Sorbet

Gelato is made from milk, sugar, flavor, and a bit of cream. Sorbet is made from juice, pureed fruit, and water. It contains no dairy or eggs and is low in fat. Both frozen treats contain high amounts of sugar.

Vegan Strawberry Gelato

By replacing the milk and cream with dairy free versions, you can create a vegan version. Less creamy, but still delicious!

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