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In almost every village in Germany you are likely to find an ice cream shop or walk-up window with the word “Eis” written over it. Inside, you will find a delightful treat: ice cream! German ice cream seems to be a conglomeration of Italian gelato and American ice cream.
Regardless of the name or exact ingredients, it is delicious! Ice cream is adored in this country.
The popularity of these little shops brings to mind the fashionable ice cream parlors in the 1950s in America. They were a meeting spot for everyone, and the enjoyment of ice cream was the common bond. Here in Germany, it is no less true. Grandparents and children, walking together, licking away at ice cream cones is a truly sweet sight.
There is no specific time of day or season that isn’t right for eating ice cream in Germany.
You can even spot people on the WalkPlatz in Kaiserslautern in the winter, enjoying a scoop or two. Eis shops are often open on holidays and Sundays when most places are closed.
The frequency of people eating ice cream in Germany seems similar to people enjoying coffee in cities like Seattle or New York City. Most names and flavors of ice cream in this area are based on Italian gelato, but don’t assume that all Eis shops are serving gelato unless specifically stated.
Gelato and ice cream are not the same treat.
Gelato comes from the Italian word meaning “frozen.” There is low amount of air added in the production of gelato and milk is the main dairy product.
One of the reasons that gelato stays so smooth is because it is made in small batches and used right away. Gelato also has less fat than ice cream, is smooth and has flavors like Stracciatella and Zabaglione.
Ice cream has a lot of air whipped into it and is often mass-produced. Ice cream production uses both milk and cream and is then nearly frozen solid, which makes transport easier.
American ice cream has many recognizable brands and has
flavors like Rocky Road and butter pecan.
America still remains the top ice cream consuming country in the world, but you don’t have to go all the way back to the States to eat it. Chances are, there is an Eis shop right by you now, waiting with all kinds of sweet delights just for you!
