How to recognize real artisanal ice cream

Everyone says to do it artisanal ice creams, a delicacy not to be wasted. But also a rarity as a true artisanal ice cream can be recognized by some specific characteristics: the ingredients, the consistency, color. And of course the flavor, although at that point it's too late to be sure you've made the right purchase. In Italy, thanks to a historic artisanal tradition and the abundance of raw materials, truly artisanal ice cream can be enjoyed in every region.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE GOOD ARTISAN ICE CREAM

We have the World record for ice cream consumption: 12 kilos per person per yearBut it's easy to talk about artisanal ice cream, too easy, and so sometimes you can fall into a scam or the trap of disappointment. To avoid these risks, however, there are some precautions to take. It is iIt is important to recognize whether the cone or the cup The ice cream we're enjoying is truly made with healthy ingredients and without the addition of preservatives, colorings, or other additives. Did you know, for example, that to be truly fresh, ice cream should be made daily and should never be served more than three days after its production date? Here are some tips: Tips to help you understand if the artisanal ice cream you're buying is truly good and of excellent quality.

ALSO READ: Homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker

QUALITY ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS

Every ice cream shop should display a list of ingredients used to make its ice cream. Make sure the ice cream doesn't contain hydrogenated fats or a large amount of vegetable fats or oils. Ice cream containing preservatives, colorings, or other additives should also be avoided.

An ice cream without sugar it simply doesn't exist, but artisanal gelato manages to dose it just right, also based on the content of the other raw ingredients: if, for example, it's a very sugary fruit, the sugar dose will be lower. In general, if you add too much sugar, the gelato will be too soft; if the dosage is too low, you'll get a grainy product.

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CONSISTENCY OF A GOOD ICE CREAM

Consistency is also an important parameter for evaluating ice cream.

• To be good it must be creamy, but not excessively. Likewise, a consistency that's too watery isn't good either.
• It's normal for ice cream to melt fairly easily, especially in the summer. However, if it melts too quickly, it means the different ingredients aren't properly balanced.
• If, on the other hand, the ice cream doesn't melt, it might contain additives.
• Real artisanal gelato isn't oily, it doesn't stick to the palate, but it's not too runny and inconsistent either.

ALSO READ: How to Open an Ice Cream Shop: The Complete Guide

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN ICE CREAM MELTS IMMEDIATELY?

When ice cream melts instantly, you have mathematical proof of how it was made. You don't even have time to taste it, and there it is, with the risk of ending up on your shirt. What does that mean? Simple: It is an ice cream made with a lot of sugar, according to an industrial and certainly not artisanal characteristicChange supplier.

COLOR OF ARTISAN ICE CREAM

The colour of the ice cream must always be consistent with the chosen flavour: the strawberry for example it must not have the color of the cherry or raspberry as well as a green that is too bright for pistachio could highlight the presence of colorants. pistachio It's not bright green, but rather brownish, almost hazelnut-like, while mint is white. A bright green pistachio, for example, could mean the gelato was made with a pistachio paste diluted with oils or blended with other nuts. Keep in mind that the gelato shop's selection of flavors should be limited to 15-16, a number that can vary depending on the season and the fruit available. The gelato should also be neither too shiny nor too opaque.

THE FLAVOR OF REAL ARTISAN ICE CREAM

Ice cream should taste like the flavor you choose. The better and more authentic the ice cream, the more you'll be able to immediately identify its distinctive flavor. If you notice a certain acidity, it means it hasn't been stored properly: don't forget that ice cream is largely made up of milkIce cream should also not be overly sweet: if it is, it may be because the sugar is trying to disguise the fact that it's of poor quality. Excessive sweetness can also be decidedly cloying. The thermal impact on the palate should also never be excessive. Finally, be careful when using syrups or other additives to enhance the ice cream's flavor.

TO KNOW MORE: Homemade biscuit ice cream

ARTISAN ICE CREAM WORKSHOP

Finally, another parameter to evaluate how genuine and daily prepared the ice cream is, is the presence of craft workshop clearly visible inside the ice cream shop.

Having a lab adjacent to the store also guarantees a number of factors. First and foremost, the cleanliness and freshness of the raw materials: these are things you can verify with your own eyes. Then there's the fact that there are no risks involved in transporting the gelato from the lab to the store, and this also positively impacts the overall quality of the product.

HOW LONG DOES ARTISAN ICE CREAM KEEP IN THE FREEZER?

Homemade ice cream can be stored in the freezer at minus 18 degrees even for three or four monthsWhen you take it out, once it thaws slightly (about ten minutes), it should be eaten and cannot be refrigerated again. This is why, to avoid waste, it's best to freeze small portions of ice cream in tubs that aren't too large. To know when frozen ice cream is ready to eat, simply dip a spoon into it and you won't find any resistance.

WHAT IS THE TASTE OF ICE CREAM BESTSELLER?

HOW TO MAKE ICE CREAM AT HOME:

• The recipe for making chocolate ice cream at home, with and without an ice cream maker.
• Banana ice cream: how to make it at home with ripe fruit and a touch of blueberries.
• Lemon ice cream: many ways to make it, including vegan and gluten-free options.