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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: yesno on July 02, 2008, 10:46:25 AM

Title: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: yesno on July 02, 2008, 10:46:25 AM
We discussed this in the chat.  Dessert is an important issue to me.  I just did a bunch of research to verify all this.

Italian ice and sorbet are made the same way as ice cream, but with different ingredients. Italian ice is for slobs and is made with syrup or lower quality puree; sorbet is for snobs and is made with higher quality stuff.  They are basically the same thing.

Sherbet has a small amount of dairy, while sorbet has none.  It is basically low dairy, high fruit ice cream.  People and even reference books often confuse the two, but it’s a useful distinction.

Snow cones are shaved ice with flavoring added.  Some places will call snow cones "Italian ice," if you ever see someone doing this, overturn his cart and pour flavor syrup on his head.

Italian ice is called "water ice" within the borders of Philadelphia.  I’ve never seen it called that in NJ (maybe in the Cherry Hill area or south Jersey?) and it’s called "Italian ice" by the time you get to New Hope.

Sherbet is called "sherbert" in some places.

"Schubert dip" is an EMF album.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Sarah on July 02, 2008, 10:59:08 AM
Thank god this has been cleared up.

Speaking of sorbet, I'm thinking of making the following, perhaps with the addition of some homemade orange extract (sorry, C-Mo).

Bitter Chocolate Sorbet

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups hot water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

   1. Mix together the sugar and cocoa. While stirring, add enough hot water to make a thick paste; then add the rest of the water and stir until smooth. Add the vanilla.
   2. Chill until completely cold (refrigerator temperature).
   3. Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. (Will probably take about 15-20 minutes in most machines.)

This makes about one-and-a-half pints.

It's supposed to be delicious.  I think it might be especially good served layered with whipped cream. 
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Emily on July 02, 2008, 12:04:58 PM
where's the poll?

i vote Italian Ice
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: erika on July 02, 2008, 12:07:45 PM
Why is Italian Ice for slobs?

It's not always made from corn syrup. Sometimes it's a sugar syrup or a fruit puree. And there's nothing wrong with sugar syrup!
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: KickTheBobo on July 02, 2008, 12:13:29 PM
Italian Ice gets my vote.

The best were the ones you'd get with the pull off top (I think they only came in cherry & lemon) and would eat with a wooden spoon. the BEST PART, was when the contents had been scraped away enough to allow you to flip the whole thing over, exposing the sweet syrupy bottom.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: yesno on July 02, 2008, 12:14:21 PM
Poll added.

I vote Italian ice too, but I still think it's for slobs.  It tastes better, but comes in a paper cup instead of a silver bowl.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Sarah on July 02, 2008, 12:22:00 PM
To me, sorbet subsumes Italian ice, so by voting for it I get the best of both worlds.

You should really add granita to the poll to make it more comprehensive.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: erika on July 02, 2008, 12:23:38 PM
There are also snowballs, which is a Baltimore thing. It's kind of like a snowcone except that the ice chippies are not as smooshed together. It gets more soupy as you eat it. We also top them with marshmallow.

(http://bp1.blogger.com/_f3tkGNPL-_k/SCkGoijs1YI/AAAAAAAAAPE/hX1BhDZPCDQ/s400/snowball.jpg)
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Martin on July 02, 2008, 12:40:30 PM
Sorbet.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: dave from knoxville on July 02, 2008, 01:25:50 PM
Why is Italian Ice for slobs?

It's not always made from corn syrup. Sometimes it's a sugar syrup or a fruit puree. And there's nothing wrong with sugar syrup!

We like to swig the Karo straight from the bottle. Sometimes in vast quantities!!!

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee183/gaughin/karo_light_corn_syrup_1gal_large.jpg)
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Miss on July 02, 2008, 01:56:04 PM
Just to spite you, I'm going to continue calling snow cones Italian Ice. Just my way of sticking it to the man.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: dave from knoxville on July 02, 2008, 02:56:47 PM
I'm calling them Karo Kones
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 02, 2008, 03:30:32 PM
Sherbert sucks. Sorbet wins on quality, but Italian Ice has the edge when the situation in which it is most often eaten is taken into account. I'm also a big fan of sno-cones without syrup, though I think they should give me a discount since I can't imagine the ice is the expensive part of it.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Sarah on July 02, 2008, 03:33:37 PM
Homemade sherbet is good, though.  It's the store-bought stuff that usually has a lot of crap in it that makes it lousy.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: erechoveraker on July 02, 2008, 03:35:48 PM
I'd never had italian ice till I moved to East Coast/Pittsburgh. Now the kids at Rita's know me by name. Jinkies!
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 02, 2008, 03:36:43 PM
Homemade sherbet is good, though.  It's the store-bought stuff that usually has a lot of crap in it that makes it lousy.

I can't say I've ever made sherbert- I should try it. I want to use the summer to learn how to actually make things. So far I've gotten as far as sushi (vegetable rolls)... and that's about it.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Sarah on July 02, 2008, 03:38:05 PM
You'll like it, I promise.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: todd on July 02, 2008, 03:53:48 PM
I'm the only snow-cone defender? Didn't you bastards have CHILDHOODS?
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Laurie on July 02, 2008, 03:54:43 PM
I love Sno-Cones, too. Especially rainbow ones.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: erika on July 02, 2008, 04:06:40 PM
SNOWBALLS!
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: yesno on July 02, 2008, 04:15:48 PM
SNOWBALLS!

I added a snowball poll option.  I bet you voted for Nader in 2000, too.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: jed on July 02, 2008, 04:18:46 PM
Italian ice is called "water ice" within the borders of Philadelphia.  I’ve never seen it called that in NJ (maybe in the Cherry Hill area or south Jersey?) and it’s called "Italian ice" by the time you get to New Hope.

They have Rita's in South Jersey.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Laurie on July 02, 2008, 04:39:02 PM
SNOWBALLS!

I added a snowball poll option.  I bet you voted for Nader in 2000, too.

I remember that.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: erika on July 02, 2008, 04:48:16 PM
SNOWBALLS!

I added a snowball poll option.  I bet you voted for Nader in 2000, too.
nooooooooooooooo i voted already. dammit.


(i hate nader)
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: yesno on July 02, 2008, 05:04:43 PM
They have Rita's in South Jersey.

Yeah, but the Rita's outside of Philly I've seen (last one I enjoyed was in New Hope) call it Italian ice and not water (woder) ice.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: jed on July 02, 2008, 05:05:46 PM
They have Rita's in South Jersey.

Yeah, but the Rita's outside of Philly I've seen (last one I enjoyed was in New Hope) call it Italian ice and not water (woder) ice.

That's 'wooder' you Philadummy.

Where does Gelato sit on this list?
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: yesno on July 02, 2008, 05:09:09 PM
Where does Gelato sit on this list?

ice cream vs. gelato vs. frozen yogurt vs. frozen custard is a whole 'nother battle.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: erika on July 02, 2008, 05:13:20 PM
Gellati is italian ice and frozen custard swirled together. I loves it.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Beth on July 02, 2008, 05:13:34 PM
Where does Gelato sit on this list?

ice cream vs. gelato vs. frozen yogurt vs. frozen custard is a whole 'nother battle.

Gelato wins that battle.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: yesno on July 02, 2008, 06:04:29 PM
I think the "gelati" Erika refers to is just a Rita's thing.

Gelato wins over most, including over schmancy dense ice cream, but frozen custard is a pretty strong contender.  I've only had it at Good Times fast foodery in Colorado but it's apparently pretty popular in the upper midwest.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: erika on July 02, 2008, 06:24:23 PM
There's a small family owned place here called "The Cow" that swirls any of 42 flavors of italian ice with vanilla or chocolate frozen custard. It's fucking awesome. I get the chocolate ice (which has mini chocolate chips in it) swirled with chocolate custard. WOAH.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: dania on July 02, 2008, 06:59:46 PM
I vote Gelato
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: Vambo on July 02, 2008, 07:59:15 PM
Italian Ice is only properly obtained from a pizzeria, and only properly served in a folded paper cup that allows you to squeeze out every last bit, much like a toothpaste tube.

Chocolate is the best flavor.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 02, 2008, 11:24:27 PM
Italian Ice is only properly obtained from a pizzeria, and only properly served in a folded paper cup that allows you to squeeze out every last bit, much like a toothpaste tube.

Chocolate is the best flavor.

Of Italian Ice? What? I've never heard of that. I'm a lemon girl myself- I've never liked any of the red-dyed varieties, and rainbow is mostly just that.
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 09, 2008, 01:39:22 AM
Gellati is italian ice and frozen custard swirled together. I loves it.
I just had this for the first time tonight (a Rita's recently opened nearby). It was pretty damn great.

(Why did I actually remember this thread and come back to post that?)
Title: Re: Italian ice vs. sorbet vs. sherbet
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on July 09, 2008, 10:28:11 AM
I'm calling them Karo Kones

great way to represent the south, dave.