What Makes Neapolitan Ice Cream Different From Spumoni?

Have you ever found yourself struggling to choose between vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream? Each flavor is tempting, with the creaminess of vanilla, the rich decadence of chocolate, and the refreshing fruit flavor of strawberry. They all make great treats on a hot summer day, or really any time, so which one do you choose? With Neapolitan ice cream, you can have all three at once. Neapolitan ice cream offers you vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream in one carton, and they all blend in together and complement one another wonderfully.

Or maybe you want Spumoni? While it's not as widely known, Spumoni is an ice cream dessert that gives you multiple flavors in one dish, just like with Neapolitan ice cream. However, there are some distinct differences between the two frozen desserts and knowing what they are can help you choose the perfect treat to satisfy your ice cream cravings.

Neapolitan ice cream is a fairly straightforward dessert. It has three distinct flavors of ice cream in a single container — chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry — and it is usually arranged in horizontal layers, with each layer corresponding to one of the three flavors. Neapolitan is typically served by scooping out portions of each flavor side by side.

Spumoni, on the other hand, is an Italian dessert that is traditionally made by layering different flavors of ice cream and gelato, along with candied fruits, nuts, and whipped cream. The flavors used in spumoni can vary, but they typically include pistachio, cherry, and chocolate, which are often separated by layers of whipped cream and fruit. In addition to the traditional flavors, variations of spumoni may include flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, and caramel. Some varieties may also use sorbet instead of ice cream or gelato. Spumoni is sliced, similar to a cake, for serving.

The texture of spumoni can vary depending on the recipe and the method of preparation, but generally, spumoni is rich, creamy, and full of delicious surprises, thanks to the added fruit and nuts. It is churned in an ice cream maker to create a smooth and dense texture. However, unlike traditional ice cream, which is churned at a slower speed, spumoni is churned at a higher speed to incorporate less air, resulting in a denser and creamier texture. Unlike spumoni, Neapolitan ice cream usually has a consistent texture throughout, with each layer being of the same creamy and smooth consistency.

Spumoni is believed to have originated in Naples, Italy. The name "spumoni" comes from the Italian word "spuma," which means foam or froth, and refers to the dessert's light, airy texture. The exact origins of Neapolitan ice cream are unclear, but it is believed to have been named after Naples, Italy, where it is thought it was invented, as well. In the early 20th century, layered desserts like Neapolitan and spumoni were popular, so they may have been invented around the same time to meet demand for these desserts.