The preparation of artisanal ice cream requires several steps and particular ingredients. Much of the work is done by two fundamental ingredients in ice cream making: ice cream bases and ice cream pastes. In this short article we want to explain what ice cream pastes are, which types are available on the market and how to use them to create your own homemade ice cream. Four ice cream cones made with different ice cream pastes
What are ice cream pastes?
Ice cream is the most loved food by adults and children, an indispensable dessert at the end of a meal and a perfect ally against the scorching summer heat. But how is ice cream prepared? There are many recipes online that explain how to make it without an ice cream maker, but can this product really be called ice cream? The artisanal ice cream bought in the ice cream shop is the result of meticulous processing, which alternates manual phases with mechanized phases. In addition, professional products that not everyone is familiar with are often used during processing. In short, preparing it at home seems to be something abstruse and impossible in the imagination of many! Let's dispel this myth and start from the basics: what are ice cream pastes? Ice cream pastes, also known as flavoring pastes, are semi-finished products. Mixed with ice cream bases, they allow you to obtain the flavor of the ice cream you intend to make. In detail, the ice cream pastes give the ice cream base, which is a neutral compound, the taste and color of the raw material from which it is obtained. These are ingredients mostly produced naturally, especially if we talk about classic flavors such as chocolate, hazelnut and pistachio. There are many ice cream pastes on the market and they range from traditional flavours, such as strawberry and lemon, to more original and often unpronounceable flavours. They also allow you to reduce preparation times (since they are partly processed) and to create ice cream flavors including out-of-season fruits. Ice cream made with chocolate ice cream paste, served in a white cup
What types of ice cream pastes are available on the market? Raspberry ice cream paste in glass container
On the market, both wholesale and online, there are ice cream pastes for all tastes, from typical flavors to the more exotic and particular ones. They are characterized by their versatility, often finding use not only in ice cream making but also in pastry making. Keep in mind that most ice cream pastes are made naturally, just like you would make them at home. The advice is always to look at the label. Furthermore, in many cases these are controlled and certified products. The quality of the raw materials with which they are packaged can be felt by tasting the ice cream, which will have in all respects the taste and color of the fruit with which the paste is created.
Let's see in detail what types of pasta are on the market:
Fatty ice cream pastes
The so-called fat ice cream pastes are produced by processing seeds, such as cocoa, or dried fruit such as hazelnuts, almonds and pistachios.
Those obtained from dried fruit undergo a natural manufacturing process. In particular, the fruit is collected, selected, cleaned, dried and shelled. After passing the appropriate quality controls, the fruit is toasted. Finally, it is finely chopped until an oily paste is obtained. Generally, ice cream pastes of this type are completely pure and 100% natural, however flavorings and emulsifiers can be added inside.
Needless to say, the most popular are the chocolate, pistachio and hazelnut ones.
Fruit ice cream pastes
As the name suggests, fruit ice cream pastes allow you to make classic fruit ice creams. They are produced starting from fresh fruit, to which other ingredients such as sugars, water, pectin and acidifiers such as lemon juice are added. Other ingredients, such as flavorings and preservatives, may also be added. They are able to give the ice cream base the taste and color of the fruit with which the paste is produced.
How to use ice cream pastes?
The ice cream pastes are added to the ice cream bases shortly before creaming.
The ice cream base is a semi-finished powder that must be combined with other liquid and solid elements, such as milk and sugar. Its processing with other ingredients allows you to obtain a basic mixture to which the ice cream pastes are added. Ice cream bases differ depending on whether you make cream or fruit ice cream. Naturally, a fruit ice cream base will be associated with a fruit ice cream paste, just as a cream ice cream base will be associated with a fat ice cream paste.
To make this recipe you need some basic ingredients and an ice cream maker. In our online shop you can find everything you need! Discover our vast range of ice cream pastes and ice cream bases, chopped hazelnuts, powdered milk and dextrose. Choose your favorite flavor and create your own homemade ice cream by following our video tutorial!
