Half-and-half is a great lower-fat option for making creamy dishes, and can add a touch of decadence to your coffee. But how exactly is it different from other types of cream?
Half-and-half, also known as half cream, is the perfect compromise between milk and cream. As the name suggests, it is a mixture of half whole milk and half light cream, so it’s richer than milk, but lighter than cream, with a fat content of around 12%.
A popular addition to coffee, half and half adds a luxurious creaminess to your cup of joe without leaving a greasy film on the surface like cream can. It is also a great way to create lighter versions of your favourite creamy sauces and desserts while still keeping that luxurious, creamy mouthfeel. Recipes that call for half milk and half cream – panna cotta, for example – are less likely to separate if you use pre-combined half and half, resulting in a smoother, creamier dessert.
Light Cream. There’s even less difference between half and half and light cream than between half and half and heavy cream. The FDA dictates that light cream contains between 18 and 30 percent milk fat, meaning it’s a bit fattier than half and half (which has between 10.5 and 18 percent milk fat).
Whole milk and light cream
Half-and-half is made from equal parts whole milk and light cream, so if you have both of these ingredients, you can combine them to make your own half-and-half.
Half-and-half vs whipping cream
Whipping cream is very similar to heavy cream, with around 35% fat content to heavy cream’s 38%. In fact, the two are so similar that heavy cream is sometimes referred to as heavy whipping cream. As such, whipping cream is different to half-and-half in much the same ways. As the name suggests, it is high-fat enough to be whipped, and it is also less likely to split when added to sauces and soups.
Is half-and-half the same as heavy whipping cream?
FAQ
Can you substitute light cream for half and half?
What can I use instead of light cream?
What is another name for light cream?
Is light cream thicker than half and half?
What is the difference between light cream and half and half?
Light cream contains a higher percentage of milk fat, ranging from 18-30%, while half and half has a lower fat content of about 10-18%. The higher fat content in light cream contributes to its richer and creamier consistency. In terms of texture, light cream is thicker and more indulgent, offering a velvety mouthfeel to dishes and beverages.
What is half and half cream?
Half and half is a blend of equal parts milk and cream, with a milk fat content ranging from 10-18%. It is lighter in texture and flavor compared to light cream. Half and half is often used as a coffee creamer or as a substitute for heavy cream in recipes that require a lower fat content.
Do you need light cream if you have half and half?
Now, if you have half-and-half but need light cream, that’s when things become a bit tricky. America’s Restaurant says light cream is traditionally heavier than half-and-half and has more fat, so if your recipe requires a specific amount of fat that the cream provides, the half-and-half won’t make the cut.
What is the difference between heavy cream and light cream?
Light cream, also known as coffee cream, has a fat content of around 20% to 30%. It is lighter than heavy cream but richer than milk. Light cream is commonly used as a coffee creamer. Half and half are a mixture of equal parts of milk and cream, with a fat content of around 10% to 12%.