French for "fresh cream," crème fraîche can be used in sauces, drizzled over vegetables or spooned on fresh fruit. Crème fraîche is a mature, thickened cream with a slightly tangy, nutty flavor. Today, crème fraîche is still considered a specialty item but is available at many specialty food stores and gourmet groceries. Try these recipes to discover why more and more people are helping themselves to this luscious accent.

Find more information about cream including storage handling tips.

• Crème Fraîche Storage and Handling Tips

 CALIFORNIA DAIRY RECIPES

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Crème fraîche and sour cream can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

Crème fraîche is similar to smetana, a heavier cream used in Central and Eastern Europe.

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Crème Fraîche Storage and Handling

Store crème fraîche in the refrigerator, which is typically set at 38°F - 40°F. Keep it tightly sealed in the container in which it is sold.

Crème fraîche containers are stamped with a "sell by" date, which refers to how long the retail store can keep the product for sale on the shelf. Typically, crème fraîche will keep for up to eight weeks, if refrigerated.

If separation occurs, gently stir the liquid back into the crème fraîche. If any mold forms on the surface of the crème fraîche, discard it immediately.


An instrumentality of the Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California.