Need to cool off in the heat? 6 signs of really good ice cream

Summer is here, and with it the irrepressible craving for a cool refreshment! What could be better than ice cream? "Ice cream, ice cream, baby" – in summer, we simply need delicious ice cream to provide us with enjoyment and cooling in the high temperatures.

But what types are there, how do you recognize high-quality ice cream, and can you make it yourself without an expensive machine? Let's dive into the fascinating world of ice cream!

The world of ice cream is as diverse and colorful as a summer bouquet. Basically, there are several main categories, each with its own characteristics and fans. The most important ones are:

1. Dairy ice cream: This is probably the best-known and most popular category. Dairy ice cream is characterized by its creamy consistency. It is made primarily from milk, cream, sugar, and various other ingredients. The flavors are virtually unlimited:
2. Fruit ice cream (sorbet): Unlike milk ice cream, sorbet is made without dairy products. It consists primarily of water, sugar, and a high fruit content. This makes it lighter, often with a more intense fruit flavor, and particularly refreshing. Sorbet is also a good option for people with lactose intolerance or vegans. Popular varieties include:
3. Soft-serve ice cream: Creamy ice cream made by a special machine at a higher temperature and with more air inclusions than regular ice cream. This makes it particularly airy and soft, and melts quickly in the mouth. It is often served in waffle cones and decorated with colorful sprinkles or chocolate sauce.
4. Purely plant-based ice cream: With growing awareness of vegan diets and lactose intolerance, more and more plant-based ice cream alternatives have become established. These are often made with coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or cashew nuts and offer a creamy texture without animal products. The variety of flavors is constantly growing.

Uwe Knop, born in 1972, is a qualified nutritionist, author, and speaker for lectures at professional associations, companies, and medical training courses.

To separate the wheat from the chaff and enjoy truly good ice cream, there are a few indicators you can look out for:

1. Color: Natural ingredients produce natural colors. A bright green pistachio ice cream or a bright yellow banana ice cream are often signs of the use of coloring. Authentic pistachio ice cream tends to be a pale olive green, while banana ice cream oxidizes and quickly turns brown. Strawberry ice cream should be a soft pink, not bright red.
2. Consistency: Good ice cream is creamy and melts slowly in the mouth. It shouldn't be watery, contain large ice crystals, or be frozen too hard. If it feels rubbery or melts very quickly, that's often not a good sign. A slight sheen on the surface is normal, but a strong sheen can indicate a high sugar or fat content.
3. Smell and taste: High-quality ice cream smells and tastes intensely of its natural ingredients. Vanilla ice cream should smell of vanilla, not just sweet. Fruit ice cream should have the full flavor of the fruit in question. An artificial aftertaste or the lack of a distinctly natural flavor are warning signs.
4. Weight: Artisan ice cream is generally denser and heavier than industrial ice cream, which is often churned with a lot of air. A lighter cup of ice cream may indicate a high air content.
5. Ingredients list (for supermarket ice cream): The shorter the list and the more natural the ingredients, the better. Pay attention to the proportion of fruit, nuts, or cocoa and avoid products with lots of unnecessary additives, E numbers, and artificial flavors.
6. Melting behavior: Good ice cream melts evenly and forms a creamy puddle. If it melts and separates into a watery liquid or becomes foamy, this is a sign of poor quality or too many stabilizers.

No ice cream maker handy? No problem! With a few simple tricks and a little patience, you can make creamy and delicious ice cream at home without any special equipment . There are complicated methods, but also very quick versions – here are a few of each:

The search for the "best ice cream" in the world is a wonderful, delicious adventure that everyone must embark on for themselves. With these tricks, you'll succeed .

It's not about finding a universal answer, but about exploring diversity, discovering new tastes and savoring the moment of pleasure to the fullest.

So, grab a scoop (or two!), let the sun shine on your face, and enjoy the summer with a smile – and a portion of ice cream!

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of selected experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.