Cream facts for kids
Cream is a yummy dairy product that comes from milk. It's the rich, fatty part of milk that floats to the top. This happens because fat is lighter than the rest of the milk.
In factories, machines called "centrifuges" spin the milk super fast. This helps separate the cream even quicker. Cream is sold in different types, depending on how much fat it has. You can even find cream dried into a powder!
Cream is often called "sweet cream" when it's fresh. But in many places, cream is also sold a little bit fermented. This makes it tangy, like sour cream or crème fraîche. Cream is used in all sorts of dishes, from sweet desserts to savory meals.
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Cream in the Kitchen
Cream is a popular ingredient in many foods. You'll find it in delicious ice cream, creamy sauces, and warm soups. It's also used in stews, puddings, and some custards.
Whipped cream is a fluffy topping for many treats. Think of it on ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, or sweet pies.
Some drinks use cream too. Irish cream is a special alcoholic drink that mixes cream with whiskey. It often has honey or coffee flavors. In India, cream makes curries like masala dishes extra rich. Many people also add a splash of cream to their coffee.
When you cook with cream, especially in hot sauces, it's good to use thicker creams. Double cream or full-fat crème fraîche are great choices. They are less likely to separate or "split" when heated. You can even thin down double cream with milk to make it like a lighter cream.
Different kinds of cream are known by how much fat they contain. They also differ by how they are treated, like if they are whipped. Many places have rules about what each type of cream must contain.
Other Cool Cream Products
- Butter is made by churning cream. This process separates the fat from the liquid, creating butter and buttermilk. You can make it by hand or with a machine.
- Whipped cream is made by adding air to cream. You need cream with more than 30% fat for this. Whisking or mixing turns the liquid cream into a soft, fluffy solid. Sometimes, nitrous oxide gas is used to make it extra airy.
- Sour cream is common in places like the U.S. and Canada. It's cream that has been mixed with special bacteria. These bacteria make lactic acid, which gives it a tangy, thick texture.
- Crème fraîche is a bit like sour cream, but it's not as sour or thick. It also uses a bacterial culture. Mexican crema is very similar to crème fraîche.
- Smetana is a heavy cream product from Central and Eastern Europe. It can be sweet or sour and has a lot of milk fat.
- Rjome or rømme is a sour cream from Norway. It's very rich, with 35% milk fat. Icelandic sýrður rjómi is similar.
- Clotted cream is popular in the United Kingdom. It's made by slowly heating whole milk. This creates a very high-fat product, often 55% fat. It's a bit like Indian malai.
- Reduced cream is a cream product used in New Zealand. It's often used to make a popular dip called Kiwi dip.
Dairy Products Made from Cream
Things Named After Cream
- Cream (color)
- Skin cream (like face cream)
Images for kids
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A bottle of unhomogenised milk, with the cream clearly visible, resting on top of the milk
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Christmas cake covered with whipping cream
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Stewed nectarines and heavy cream
See also
In Spanish: Crema de leche para niños
