12 Types of Ice Cream from All Over the World

Everyone loves ice cream in the summer! But have you ever considered that there are different versions of this sweet and refreshing treat all over the world? Many countries offer a different twist on this classic dessert.

1. Italy - Gelato

Italian gelato is considered the most famous ice cream type in many parts of the world. This version contains less fat, more sugar and is quite heavy and filling, but so delicious! Also, in Italy, they often use a spatula instead of an ice cream scoop!

2. Germany - Spaghettieis

In all honesty, this treat does look a bit strange. But in Germany, this is a completely normal dessert. You take vanilla ice cream and push it through a special press. Then you take a small bowl, add a large dollop of whipped cream, add the ice cream over it and finish with strawberry sauce. Coconut flakes or almond shavings give the "parmesan feeling" on top!

3. Turkey - Dondurma

Dondurma is as elastic as fresh mozzarella and as sticky as toffee. It contains traditional cream, whipped cream, salep (a type of flour), mastic (vegetable resin) and sugar. It also melts much slower than “our” ice cream and is also somewhat harder.

4. Greece - Pagoto

This Greek ice cream takes a strong influence from the Turkish Dondurma, containing salep and mastic as well. But this dessert also has a few typical Greek flavors such as Pagoto Elaeolado me syko (with olive oil and figs) and Pagoto Mavrodaphne (with Greek dessert wine).

5. Japan - Mochi

Ice cream is a very popular dessert in Japan! Mochi ice cream is made from mochi dough (a sticky, sweet dough made from Japanese glutinous rice) that is rolled out and wrapped around scoops of ice cream. Popular flavors include vanilla, chocolate, matcha (green tea) and strawberry.

6. China - Fried Ice Cream

There is a worldwide debate on whether this delicious treat is originally from the United States or China. The frozen scoop of ice cream is dipped in a tempura batter and then fried for a few minutes. It is finished with cinnamon and sugar and sometimes with peppermint, whipped cream or honey.

7. Israel - Halva

This Israeli dessert is made from sesame paste, tahini, eggs, cream and sugar, and often decorated with pistachio and silan (date syrup). This treat originates from Tel Aviv and is considered slightly more “granular" than we are used to.

8. Iran - Fālūde

Fālūde, or Pālūde, is a Persian sorbet made from very thin vermicelli noodles, rose water, lime juice, and often ground pistachio nuts. The vermicelli is first overcooked, chopped into pieces and then stirred in the "sugar water" with flavor. Before serving, warm it up in the microwave.

9. India - Kulfi

Although this Indian treat looks suspiciously like vanilla ice cream, the consistency is more solid. The most important ingredients are milk (dried and boiled), sugar, pistachio nuts, almonds, cardamom and the flower essence “ruh kewra.” They are then poured into molds with a stick and frozen, perfect for a warm day!

10. Thailand - I Tim Pad

A very popular "street snack" in Thailand is I Tim Pad. This ice cream is prepared fresh in front of you! The ice cream mixture is poured onto a frozen plate and then scraped from the plate into small rolls. You have to see it to truly understand the technique!

11. Malaysia - Ais Kacang

Ais Kacang or ABC (Air Batu Campur) is made from shaved ice with various syrups on top. So far so good. But then corn, grass jelly or kidney beans are added. Do you dare giving this dessert a try?

12. South Korea - J-Cone

The advantage of this unusual "J" shape is that it holds the ice cream so that the drops are enclosed, preventing a melted mess. The "cone" is made from popped corn, therefore offering a gluten-free treat that tastes like cornflakes. Moreover, the cone does not get soggy if the ice melts inside.

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