Frozen desserts vs ice cream: What’s the real difference?

1. A Quick Scoop on the Confusion

Noticing that many tubs of creamy treats are called ice cream and others are called frozen dessert seems a bit strange to you. They look the same, taste delicious in many flavours and promise to cool you down during the heat.

You might think these two are the same, but their differences are clear when you look at their ingredients and the laws behind them. If you’re a huge ice cream enthusiast or only tried frozen desserts once, learning the difference between these two can guide you to better, tastier options.

Let’s get started to see what makes these companies so special.

2. What actually counts as Ice Cream in the U.S.?

According to the FDA, anything called ice cream must follow certain rules to be legal.

Have milk fat in a concentration of at least 10%.

Mix the ingredients for a few minutes to let in air (overrun), but keep the total milk solids at around 20%.

Maintain a frozen state and meet certain standards for what is displayed on the package and the product’s ingredients.

Milk, cream and egg yolks together are what give traditional ice cream its rich and creamy texture.

3. So What’s the Frozen Dessert Then?

When an ice cream doesn’t meet the FDA’s standards for dairy, it is usually referred to as a "frozen dessert" instead.

Rather than milk fat, most frozen desserts use palm or coconut oil, non-dairy substitutes or just less milk. They are called frozen desserts because their ingredients are different from those in ice cream.

4. The main difference

It’s time to look closely at the ways in which these two winter favorites differ.

A. Texture and Mouthfeel

Texture and Mouthfeel is the main part of sensory analysis.

You can quickly notice a difference between ice cream and frozen desserts by how they feel inside your mouth. Due to dairy fat, ice cream made in America (at least 10%) creates a wonderfully smooth and thick texture that slowly melts in your mouth. It’s primarily the milk fat and the positive effects of churning that give ice cream it's surprisingly rich and light taste.

Frozen desserts usually replace dairy fat with vegetable oils (such as palm or coconut oil). While today’s methods help make them more consistent, they might not seem as thick, creamy or buttery. The melting point of vegetable oils is lower than that of milk fat, which results in frozen desserts melting and tasting faster than some others.

B. Flavours and Aftertaste

For many fans of ice cream, it’s the flavor that makes the difference between real ice cream and its frozen alternatives. Because traditional ice cream contains a lot of dairy, it adds a smooth, creamy texture to the tastes. Depending on the flavor, the milk in ice cream makes the taste creamy and flavorful, leaving it memorable.

Frozen desserts made with vegetable oils instead of cream may not live up to our expectations. Although these are packed with delicious flavors, they usually don’t have that richness seen in dairy items. A few types of ice cream might taste somewhat artificial or oily because of poor-quality fats or extra stabilizers used in their manufacture.

C. Ingredients and production

You need cream, milk, sugar, eggs (only sometimes), and natural flavours to make ice cream.

Most frozen desserts include plant oils, thickening agents, stabilisers, sugar and occasionally dairy products.

Making ice cream follows a familiar process (pasteurisation, homogenization, churning and freezing), but the ingredients used determine how the ice cream tastes in the end.

D. Labelling and Regulations

There are legal differences as well as ingredient differences between ice cream and frozen desserts. In the United States, the FDA controls what can be called “ice cream. It is necessary for a product to have 10% or more milk fat along with the required total milk solids and ensured processing to earn that name.

Frozen desserts that aren’t standard must be referred to as frozen desserts or frozen dairy desserts and shouldn’t claim to be “ice cream” or “frozen yogurt.” With this regulation, people can decide what to eat or buy based on how their food is made. Even though frozen desserts resemble ice cream, it’s the label that spells out the details of what you’re going to eat.

5. Taste and Texture- Can you tell?

If you had no vision, would you discern the two flags? Some people who really appreciate ice cream love the exceptional creaminess that premium brands provide. Today, many frozen desserts are indistinguishable because of advances in their recipes.

Even so, a trained eye or mouth will usually recognise variations in smoothness, how fast it melts and how much depth the flavour has.

6. Health and Nutrition

That’s when the difficulty comes in. Even if frozen desserts say they’re lower in dairy or fat, they frequently add less healthy alternatives instead.

• Added Sugars
• Ingredients that have been processed
• Hydrogenated Oils

However, while the regular ice cream has more saturated fat, artisanal or organic brands often contain simpler and more natural ingredients.

You should always read what the label says. Even frozen desserts can be unhealthy, and some types of ice cream aren’t necessarily bad for you.

7. Brand You’ve Probably Seen

There’s no mistaking that certain brands provide the best taste and creativity in frozen desserts.

Harvy’s is recognized for being at the top of its line of work. You can can choose between regular and vegan ice cream at Harvy’s, because both are made with the same care and creativity. Harvey’s stores are located in various places such as Edison, Jersey, Colonia and many more. If you’re searching for the ice cream shop in edison, Harvy’s stands out not only for its premium quality but also for offering a delightful variety to suit every preference.

Harvy’s ice creams are dependable, tasty and made for everyone. Having Harvy’s means you’ll always have a happy ending.

8. Which of These Is Right For You?

Your decision between ice cream and frozen desserts should be based on what you eat, like to eat and your usual way of living. If smooth and dairy-flavoured textures are your preference, you’re probably a fan of ordinary ice cream. However, if you can’t eat dairy, avoid animal products or simply want a lighter dessert, then frozen desserts are perfect.

There are many options for those avoiding dairy, and Harvy’s is one of the brands filling in the difference in taste. Always look at the label, make sure you understand what’s inside and pick a snack you like and know it’s healthy for you.

9. Final Scoop

Ice cream and frozen desserts might seem very much alike at first because they’re both cold, creamy and delicious. Once you look a little closer, the dissimilarities become more obvious. Every variety is found in the ingredients, the feel and flavour and the labelling. Ice cream is a rich treat made with dairy, but frozen desserts now use alternatives that suit many different diets and tastes.

You’ll need to decide if you’re interested in traditional, creamy soup or a contemporary non-dairy one. Whichever choice you make, now every bite includes an interesting piece of history.