Neapolitan ice cream is a frozen dessert made up of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, originating from Naples, Italy. It became popular in 19th century America due to the availability of these flavors. Spumoni is a different dessert, made with various flavors and nuts, and is considered a delicacy. Neapolitan is sold year-round in grocery stores, while spumoni is often found on Italian restaurant dessert menus and marketed during the holidays. Neapolitan jelly molds and cakes are also popular.
The term Neapolitan ice cream typically refers to a layered frozen dessert made up of three flavors: chocolate ice cream, vanilla ice cream, and strawberry ice cream. It can also be made with ice cream, although it would be called Neapolitan ice cream instead. Served in brick-like slices with equal amounts of each flavor, this ice cream dates back to 19th century America. It is called “Neapolitan” ice cream because of its roots in Naples, Italy.
When Neapolitan immigrants began arriving in America in the 19th century, they introduced a treat called spumoni. Although Neapolitans experimented with different flavor combinations, they quickly figured out that chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice creams were the most popular in America due to their plentiful availability. Over time, this tricolor Neapolitan-style ice cream was simply called that: Neapolitan ice cream. Spumoni continued to exist as a different kind of dessert all together.
In modern times, Neapolitan ice cream is very different from spumoni. Both desserts are made with a variety of flavors, though the similarities really stop there. Neapolitan is traditionally made in a rectangular or square mold, while classic spumoni are made in a round mold. Additionally, Neapolitan ice cream molds consist of about a third of each flavor.
The spumoni manufacturing process is not so exact. This dish comes in three different flavors, which could include chocolate, pistachio and cherry, or vanilla. It’s also layered with nuts and cherry bits. The traditional Neapolitan, on the other hand, is prepared and served without additional seasonings or flavorings. Neapolitan is typically served on a plate to accentuate the presentation created by three different colors of ice cream, while spumoni are often served in a round dish.
Neapolitan ice cream is produced by many companies and sold year-round in most grocery stores. Spumoni is more of a niche dessert. It is often found on the dessert menu in Italian restaurants and therefore considered more of a delicacy than Neapolitan ice cream. Spumoni is also marketed around the holidays, most likely due to its green and red color schemes reminiscent of Christmas.
When associated with dessert, the term Neapolitan typically refers to a dessert with three distinct layers. Neapolitan jelly molds and Neapolitan cakes are also popular in America and around the world. When referring to such non-frozen desserts, however, it’s important to note that although the term Neapolitan is borrowed, the delicacies aren’t necessarily Italian-made.
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