Difference Between Sherbet vs Sorbet

Are you one of the people that do not know the difference between sherbet and sorbet? Well, that is about to change if you would take the time, three minutes tops, to go through this content. Ice cream is likely the most common dessert there is, followed closely by gelato.

But if you do not include their zestier counterparts on your menu, you are definitely missing a lot. Knowing the difference between these two would help you make suitable decisions for your taste buds on days when a slight variation in taste makes a whole lot of difference.

It is understandable why a lot of people may think that there is no difference between these two. First, their names are similar in sound that one would think they have the same description, but even their pronunciations are different. They are also made from practically the same ingredients but in different measurements.

Definition of Sherbet

Sherbet is a frozen dessert made with cream, milk, buttermilk, gelatin, fruits, and sugar. It is quite rich and creamy in texture but is lighter than ice cream. The ingredients for making this may differ from person to person depending on preference. As a rule of thumb, it should not have more than two percent of fat in it.

According to history, this is said to have originated from the Ottoman Empire. In those days, Alexander the Great served it to his guest as a dessert of sweet fruits and flower petals. The story about the origin of this dessert would not be complete without mentioning the twist that has to do with Suleiman the Magnificent.

He would have his servants bring him a glass of one or two colors of this fruity dessert to show his decision about any of his advisors that he may have been angry with. White meant “free to go” or “forgiveness,” but red meant “punishment’ or “condemnation.”

Definition of Sorbet

Sorbet is defined as a frozen fruit sugar dessert made from fruits, sugar, and maybe flavorings, acid, and water. In comparing sherbet vs sorbet, one of the similarities is that they are both made of the same basic ingredients–sugar and fruits. But they are also different from each other in the sense that the former is made with dairy products while the latter is not.

It is one of the oldest desserts in the book, quite famous as a palate cleanser between courses. Tales have it that this fruity dessert originated in Rome. Roman Emperor Nero used to demand buckets of snow from the top of the mountains passed to his banquet hall by hand, where it would be mixed with honey and wine.

Main Differences Between Sherbet vs Sorbet

From the descriptions above, one can easily tell the difference between sorbet and sherbet. However, the table below is a more detailed expression of how these two are different from each other.

Difference Between Sherbet and Sorbet: Conclusion

If you are looking for a slightly lighter alternative to ice cream or if you are looking for a funner way to enjoy your fruits, any of these two would do for you. From the sorbet vs sherbet comparison above, you can see that there are some differences in the composition of these two, at least enough to make notable dietary differences.

For instance, if you are on a diet plan that tolerates little fat, you may want to go for sorbet as opposed to sherbet. Both of them are lighter when compared to ice cream, so either of the two would be a better option if you are on a diet.