What’s the difference between popsicle, gelato and sorbet? Experts shed light

Anushka Sharma recently shared a picture of a plate full of bright, colourful popsicles, reminding us of summer vacations. The modern food scene has evolved beyond traditional soft serves and orange lick lollies, with gelatos and sorbets gaining popularity for their fruity and flavourful offerings, especially for vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers. But, how exactly do these frozen treats differ from each other? indianexpress.com spoke to experts to uncover the nuances.

What’s the difference between a popsicle, gelato, and sorbet?

“A popsicle is a frozen treat made by freezing flavored liquid—usually juice or a sweetened water-based liquid—on a stick. It has a hard, icy texture,” said Najrul Beg, executive chef at Hyatt Place, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur.

In contrast, gelato is an Italian-style ice cream known for its intense flavour and creamy, smooth texture. It’s denser than regular ice cream due to less air being incorporated. Made with milk, sugar, and sometimes cream, it has various toppings like fruit, nuts, or chocolate, Beg said.

“The process of making gelato is long and complex. It starts with a custard base, which is then mixed with milk and sugar. It’s then slowly churned while freezing to achieve that creamy consistency,” shared Gagan Anand, founder, Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic.

Sorbets, on the other hand, are dairy-free frozen desserts made from sweetened water and fruit juice or puree. They are smooth and icy, and are a vegan option for dessert lovers. “The absence of milk sets it apart from a gelato,” he said.

The process of making gelato is long and complex. (Source: Freepik)

Which one’s healthiest for weight watchers out of the three?

Sorbet is generally the healthiest option for weight watchers because it is lower in fat and calories compared to gelato, agreed both. However, it can still be high in sugar, so they recommended portion control.

Popsicles can also be a low-calorie option, but store-bought versions can contain added sugars, corn syrup and artificial ingredients, which counters the point.  And although gelato has less fat than traditional ice cream, it still has a higher calorie content compared to sorbet or popsicles, especially because of the dairy content, they said.

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