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Sorbet vs ice cream: what is the difference?
Ice cream is made with milk and cream. Sorbet is usually fruit, water and a sweetener, without milk or cream. Where sherbet fits, and how they taste.
Sorbet and ice cream share a freezer aisle and a scoop, but they start from different places. One is built on dairy, the other on fruit. Here is the difference, and where sherbet sits in between.
What is ice cream?
Ice cream is a frozen dessert made from milk and cream, sweetened and flavored. In the United States the name has a legal meaning: ice cream must contain at least 10% milkfat, or at least 8% of the finished food when bulky flavors such as fruit or nuts are added.
What is sorbet?
Sorbet is a frozen dessert usually made from fruit, water and a sweetener, without milk or cream. US federal rules set no separate definition for sorbet, so recipes vary. Read the ingredient list and the allergen statement on the pack: in a fruit sorbet, the fruit should be near the top.
What about sherbet?
Sherbet sits in between. It is fruit-led like sorbet, but it contains a little dairy: under US rules, sherbet has between 1% and 2% milkfat. If you are avoiding milk, skip sherbet, and check the label of any sorbet you choose.
How do they taste different?
Ice cream is rich and creamy, and the dairy rounds off the flavor. Sorbet tastes more directly of its fruit: brighter, cleaner and often a little tart. Without cream to soften it, the fruit you choose carries the whole flavor.
Sorbet vs ice cream at a glance
- Base: ice cream is milk and cream; sherbet is fruit with a little dairy; sorbet is usually fruit, water and a sweetener.
- Milkfat (US rules): ice cream, at least 10% (8% with bulky flavors); sherbet, 1% to 2%; sorbet, no federal standard, and usually none.
- Flavor: ice cream is rich and creamy; sorbet is bright and fruit-forward.
What is in our sorbets?
Fruit first. In every one of our ten sorbets, the fruit is the first ingredient. Our Organic Açaí Original Sensation is 60% organic açaí, and our Organic Mango is 60% organic mango. Our Passionfruit leads with passion fruit, ahead of the water and the sugar. All ten are certified vegan by Vegan Australia, in pints, cups and buckets. If you have a food allergy, always check the label on the pack.
Can you use sorbet like ice cream?
Yes. Scoop it into a cone or a bowl, or float it in sparkling water. Açaí sorbet also makes an instant açaí bowl without a blender. Not sure which flavor to try? Find your flavor in three choices.
Related: What is açaí sorbet? · Açaí vs pitaya · Organic mango sorbet · All ten flavors
Austropical açaí and tropical fruit sorbets are planned for US retail from March 2027, starting with Organic Açaí Original Sensation and Organic Mango in pints and Grab'n Go cups. The other eight flavors follow.
Serving suggestions. Product of Brazil.