Buy Creme Fraiche online from igourmet.com! Creme Fraiche is a luxuriously rich cream that is soured with bacterial culture. French for “fresh cream”, Creme Fraiche is less sour than American style sour cream, and has a higher fat content, making it richer yet milder in flavor and creamier in texture. Its butterfat content is approximately 28%, as opposed to sour cream, which typically ranges from 18-20%. It is believed that Creme Fraiche originated in the Normandy region of France, near Isigny-sur-Mer in the Northwestern region of the country. Creme Fraiche is the only cream to have been granted AOC (Appellation D'origine Controlee) status since 1986. Translated as “controlled designation of origin”, this French designation is given to certain products which are located in a specific geographical location or origin. Creme Fraiche is currently produced in the major dairy regions of France including Brittany, Poitou-Charente, Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne. Since the 1990s, availability of Creme Fraiche has increased, and it has become popular in the UK, where consumption of cream is traditionally widespread. Similar soured creams are popular in places such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania, Lithuania, Scandinavia and other European countries. Today Creme Fraiche may be found all over the world, and continues to grow in popularity in the US.
Creme Fraiche is made by allowing bacteria to acidify, producing lactic acid from lactose, until the cream thickens. This produces a notable slightly sour flavor and creates a higher level of viscosity. The flavor of the Creme Fraiche will vary based on the type of bacteria used to culture the cream, length of time the cream was cultured and the amount of butterfat in the cream. In France, Creme Fraiche is made with unpasteurized heavy cream and contains natural bacteria. When allowed to sit at room temperature, the cream cultures on its own. In the US, most cream is required to undergo pasteurization to eliminate the natural bacteria for food safety reasons. After the cream is pasteurized, a strain or strains of safe bacteria are reintroduced to the cream to enable culturing. A bacterial starter, such a buttermilk or yogurt will be introduced to the pasteurized cream, and after sitting in a warm environment for typically 12-24 hours, Creme Fraiche will be produced.
The flavor profile of Creme Fraiche can be described as exquisitely rich, with a slightly sour tang and a cultured, nutty flavor. The texture may range from creamy to a paste-like, similar to shortening. Creme Fraiche is ideal as an ingredient or an accompaniment to both sweet and savory dishes. Creme Fraiche will make a creamy and decadent alternative to most dishes that use heavy cream, sour cream or even butter. For instance, instead of the serving smoked salmon with cream cheese, Cream Fraiche may be offered as an accompaniment. Creme Fraiche may be also used in mashed potatoes instead of butter or sour cream. Creme Fraiche is less likely than regular cream to curdle or separate when heated, which makes it ideal for cooking and for use as a thickener in dishes such as soups and sauces. Thick cream soups, Hungarian Goulash or any sauces typically thickened with cultured cream will be enhanced with Creme Fraiche. Creme Fraiche is also delicious when whipped with powdered sugar and vanilla, and spooned over fresh fruit, notably berries, and on other sweets such as parfaits, pies, cobblers, custard and even breakfast foods such as pancakes and waffles.
Buy Creme Fraiche online from igourmet.com! Please visit our online store and go shopping at the number one imported food delivery service in the USA. igourmet offers Creme Fraiche by Double Devon, whose Strawberry flavor of Double Devon Creme Fraiche was awarded a gold star at 2008's Great Taste Awards by the Guild of Fine Food Retailers. igourmet also offers Creme Fraiche by Vermont Butter and Cheese which has a cultured, nutty flavor and creamy texture, is pasteurized and made in Vermont. To find the best gourmet foods and gift baskets online, begin your search at igourmet.com.
To find the best gourmet foods and gift baskets online, begin your search at igourmet.com.