Thick double cream

Crème épaisse

What it is

French dairy counters split cream two ways and the difference matters more than shoppers think: liquide whips and pours, épaisse does neither well but enriches without thinning. Confusing the two is the most common reason a home sauce goes wrong.

In the kitchen

It will not whip — the fat is already set. For chantilly you need crème liquide entière at 30% or above, and very cold.

Goes with

Potato Button mushroom Shallot Nutmeg Black pepper Leek Egg Butter

Same species

Crème fraîche

Also used with

Kaluga caviar

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