Spoom

A type of sherbet that is made with a combination of fruit juice and light sugar syrup. Occasionally, a light wine, such as champagne, is substituted for the fruit juice to provide a unique flavor. The mixture is chilled in a freezer, but before it is fully frozen, uncooked meringue is whipped into it, providing a light, airy texture to the dessert. Spoom is especially popular in Italy where it is known as spuma (which in English means, “froth” or “foam”); however, spuma does not always refer to a frozen dessert. A number of frothy or foamy creations that are not necessarily frozen are also known as spuma.