What exactly is the difference between gelato and ice cream ?

Just because I've always wondered...

-- gelato is made with a higher proportion of whole milk to cream, which gives it a lower fat content. because of the less fat, gelato doesn't coat the mouth as like ice cream does, which enhances the flavor.

-- gelato is churned at a lower speed than ice cream and has much less air whipped into it (almost none), which makes it creamier and denser.

-- gelato is never served frozen, always at a higher temp than ice cream. so no ice crystals and less mouth-numbing due to the cold = more flavor.

-- gelato, at least in europe/real Italian places is typically made in small batches, fresh daily, vs. the mass produced ice cream we know and (still) love. this is good, for obvious reasons, but also because it allows for fresh fruit ingredients instead of processed stuff meant to last for awhile in our freezers.

All of this, to me, makes gelato a superior product to ice cream, a theory we should liberally test whilst in Italy. Like every day.

Ciao, buddies.
-cr.