What is Gelato?

[foodlover]

Can someone tell me what exactly is Gelato?
Is it the same as icecream? Is it another name for it?
I mean is icecream called Gelato in another language?

 

[Mama Mangia]

it's Italian for ice cream

 

[spicekit]

Gelato has less air in it than ice-creams. Hence they need a slightly higher serving temperature, a perfect point where your scoop is firm but not hard and not so soft that it melts immediately. Gelato recipes usually include more egg yolks, more milk and less cream. It actually has less fat than regular ice cream, but gelato's low overrun makes for an extremely dense, rich and creamy treat.

 

[foodlover]

Thanks Mama Mangia for clarifying that is Gelato is Italian. I was wondering what language was that.
And thanks spicekit for the elaborate description of what exactly it is. Really informative.