CEBU, Philippines - When it comes to cooling down amid the sweltering summer heat, the good 'ol ice cream remains one of the most common, most popular "solutions" for tackling the humid times.
But as tight as the association between summer and ice cream, with the two perfectly complementing each other, the world's roster of frozen treats and specials goes beyond the hundreds of ice cream flavors and blends - covering cold swirls and shakes, ice cream-inspired treats and more.
Here's a quick look at some of the world's most popular cool ice cream alternatives, enjoyed by many in different parts of the globe.
Gelato
The word "gelato" is derived from the Latin word gel?tus, meaning frozen, and is often used to refer to ice cream that is made in the traditional Italian style. It has come to be considered as the Italian word for ice cream.
This Italian ice cream is generally a type of soft ice cream that is made with less butterfat - in contrast to regular ice cream that is high in this particular ingredient. The lesser amount of butterfat makes for the richer and fuller flavor of the gelato. Less butterfat is the reason why gelato is less solidly frozen than regular ice cream and, thus, softer.
Apart from its lesser butterfat content, gelato's density is also characteristically higher, since it contains small amounts of air that gives it a creamier, richer taste - giving it the stature as one of the world's most popular summer treats.
Sorbet
This frozen treat is made from sweetened water blended with a wide variety of flavors' including fruit juices, fruit puree and - at times - liqueur and wine.
Unlike ice cream, sorbet is usually made without any dairy-based products, the reason for its denser, more flavorful quality.
Often confused with sherbet - a popular frozen treat in the United States that's based on fruity flavorings and dairy products - the sorbet is widely marketed as a low-fat alternative to ice cream, available in different flavors and blends. (FREEMAN)