If you’ve ever wondered what is the difference between gelato and ice cream, now’s your chance to find out!

The name “gelato” actually means “ice cream” in Italian. The two desserts are similar but not identical: when it comes to their ingredients and how they’re made, they are not interchangeable. Both are made with milk and cream. The differences between gelato and ice cream have to do with the amount of air, fat, and sugar. Ice cream can contain up to 50 percent air. Gelato has far less than that. Gelato also has less fat than ice cream, coming in at 4-8 percent versus ice cream’s 14 percent. Sugar is used in both frozen desserts to make them taste sweet, but it also helps lower the temperature at which they freeze.

So if you want something creamy and rich-tasting without all the fat (or if you just want something cool to eat on a hot summer day), then gelato might be right up your alley!