Frozen dessert

Frozen dessert is a type of dessert made by freezing liquids, semi-solids, and sometimes even solids. They may be based on flavored water (like ice pops), fruit purées, milk and cream (most ice creams), custard (frozen custard and some ice creams), mousse (semifreddo), and others.

History

The history of frozen desserts dates back to ancient times. In the Persian Empire, people would pour grape-juice concentrate over snow, in a bowl, and eat this as a treat. This was a precursor to the modern sorbet. The Chinese had a method of creating ice and milk concoctions as early as 200 BC.

Types of Frozen Desserts

There are several types of frozen desserts including ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and frozen custard. Each type has its own unique characteristics and preparation methods.

Ice Cream

Ice cream is a sweetened frozen food typically eaten as a snack or dessert. It is usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavors.

Gelato

Gelato is a popular frozen dessert of Italian origin. It is generally made with a base of 3.25% milk and sugar. It is generally lower in fat than other styles of frozen desserts.

Sorbet

Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from sweetened water with flavoring (typically fruit juice or fruit purée, wine, and/or liqueur).

Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt is a frozen dessert made with yogurt and sometimes other dairy products. It is usually more tart than ice cream and has a lower fat content.

Frozen Custard

Frozen custard is a cold dessert similar to ice cream, but made with eggs in addition to cream and sugar.

Health Considerations

While frozen desserts are often viewed as a treat or indulgence, some types can be a part of a healthy diet. For example, frozen yogurt often contains beneficial probiotics and can be lower in fat than ice cream.

See Also

• List of desserts
• List of dairy products
• List of custard desserts