is creme fraiche sweet or sour

Crème fraîche (French for “fresh cream”) is a (bet you didn’t see this coming) French dairy product. It’s a soured cream, which means bacteria has been added to ferment it, has a thick texture and contains up to 30% butterfat (yes this is an actual term).
is creme fraiche sweet or sour

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This post originally appeared in an edition of What’s the Difference?, a weekly newsletter for the curious and confused by New York City writer Brette Warshaw. Eater will be publishing all editions that parse food-related differences, though those hardly scratch the surface of the world’s (and the newsletter’s) curiosities: Sign up to get What’s the Difference? in your inbox or catch up on the full archive.

Creme Fraiche vs Sour Cream | Which To Use & Why

FAQ

Is crème fraîche supposed to be sour?

Crème fraîche has a nutty, tangy, slightly sour flavor and a fat content of around 30 percent. The high-fat content makes crème fraîche an excellent thickening agent for sauces and soups. Sweetened, it works well as a dessert topping.

Is crème fraîche sweet to eat?

The main differences between sour cream and crème fraîche are fat content, thickness and degree of tanginess. The blend of bacterial cultures added to the pasteurized cream used in making conventional crème fraîche is what gives it its unique flavor that’s not too sour and just a tad sweet.

Can you replace sour cream with crème fraîche?

If you can’t find crème fraîche at your local grocery store, sour cream can be used as a 1:1 substitute, and vice versa. Just keep in mind that sour cream is a bit more sour in flavor and less rich than crème fraîche. “Crème fraîche can substitute in any recipe that calls for sour cream,” suggests Druart.

What is the American version of crème fraîche?

Sour cream (which has less fat) is the best and easiest substitute, but it’s not as rich or tangy as crème fraîche. Full-fat plain Greek yogurt is another substitute, but it doesn’t have the same smooth texture or mild flavor.

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