Almost every household enjoys some type of frozen treat, whether it’s ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or gelato. Around 90% of households in the United States eat a sweet, frozen treat regularly. Whether we stock it in the freezer or go out to places that already have gelato supplies or ice cream supplies at the ready to satiate our craving, there’s no doubt that these frozen treats are a cornerstone of American desserts. And no wonder! They’re versatile and can be eaten by almost everyone. Lactose intolerant? No problem! Try sherbet. Vegan? There are plenty of vegan ice creams and frozen yogurt options being made available. Looking to really indulge? Try a scoop of gelato. And of course, there’s always good old-fashioned chocolate and vanilla, whenever you need it.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!
Let’s not lie to ourselves. The average person in the United States will eat ice cream almost 29 times in a year and in any given two-week period, the NPD Group reported that 40% of Americans will consume ice cream. And almost 10% of the milk that dairy farmers in the United States make goes into making ice cream!
Every year, the United States produces around 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and other frozen treats. And frozen yogurt stores are growing in popularity. At the end of 2013, there were over 2,500 frozen yogurt stores in operation, touted as healthier, and also boasting their toppings bars. Despite all the options, it’s worth a reminder that the International Ice Cream Association member companies reported that vanilla is still the most popular flavor at almost 30%.
Tell Me More About Gelato Versus Ice Cream
If you’re going to get gelato supplies to make your own, you’ll probably want to know how it differs from ice cream, so you can make sure you’re getting the right kind of gelato supplies! Essentially, gelato has less air and less milkfat than ice cream. After churning, ice cream is made up of over 50% air. Gelato, on the other hand, usually has between 25-30% air.
Gelato also has less milkfat than ice cream (between 3-8%) compared to ice cream, which usually has about 10%. There’s more milk, less cream, and no egg yolks in gelato. Furthermore, gelato is served at warmer temperatures, so your mouth isn’t as numb, allowing the flavors to sink in.
Gelato does tend to be a bit more expensive than ice cream, but is often considered a luxurious treat, compared to our everyday tubs of ice cream in the freezer. It originated in Italy and there’s an ever increasing variety of flavors for sale. In recent years, the gelato craze has spread to the United States and can be found fairly easily.
Hosting an Ice Cream Party? Here’s What You Should Have On Hand
Ice cream is a favored party treat, since it’s relatively inexpensive, easy to clean up, and can be made versatile with a combination of flavors and toppings. You can also make paper ice cream cups and the plastic spoons cute for a birthday or special treat. (And, of course, you can always use the same serving basics as gelato supplies!)
It’s wise to spread out newspaper or a plastic tablecloth down before putting out the tubs of ice cream. It’ll make clean up a lot easier later! You’ll want a couple good ice cream scoops — and helpful hint: soaking the scoops in hot water can make the ice cream easier to scoop — and plenty of ice cream cups (or bowls) and spoons available.
To make it fun, put out toppings like whipped cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, and other assorted sweet goodies to put on top, and watch as people create delectable confections. For extra creativity, award a prize to the person with the most interesting ice cream creation!
Enjoy your next frozen treat (guilt free) and know that across the country, hundreds of other Americans are doing the same thing.
