TYPES OF CREAMS & THEIR USES

Cream is a vital ingredient in dessert-making, adding richness, texture, and flavor to a variety of sweet treats. Whether you’re whipping up a delicate mousse, frosting a cake, or creating a luscious ice cream, choosing the right type of cream is essential. The Indian market offers a variety of creams, broadly classified into fresh cream, dairy-based cream, and non-dairy cream. Each type has unique characteristics that determine how well they whip, hold shape, and contribute to different desserts. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of creams available in India, their appearance, taste, and best dessert applications.

FRESH CREAM

Fresh cream is widely used in Indian households and is available under brands like Amul, Mother Dairy, and Nestlé. It contains around 25% fat and has a smooth, white consistency with a mild dairy flavor.

Appearance & Taste:

• Light, smooth, and pourable texture
• White in color with a subtle milky taste
• Does not whip well due to lower fat content

Best Used for Desserts:

• Fruit Creams & Milkshakes: Adds a light creaminess without being too heavy.
• Puddings & Custards: Enhances richness without overpowering.
• Baked Goods: Works well in batters for cakes and muffins.
• Ganache & Fillings: Can be mixed with chocolate for a lighter ganache.

DAIRY-BASED CREAMS

Dairy creams have varying fat percentages, making them ideal for different dessert applications. The most popular dairy-based creams in India include:

1. Heavy Cream / Whipping Cream

Contains about 35-40% fat, making it thick, rich, and perfect for whipping. Available from brands like Amul, Rich’s Dairy Whip, and Tropolite Dairy Whipping Cream.

Appearance & Taste:

• Thick, creamy, and slightly buttery taste
• Whips into a fluffy, stable texture and holds shape well

Best Used For Desserts:

• Cake Frosting & Whipped Toppings: Ideal for layering cakes and decorating desserts.
• Chocolate Ganache: Forms a smooth, velvety consistency.
• Ice Cream & Mousse: Creates a rich, airy texture.
• Cheesecakes: Provides a creamy and stable structure.

2. Double Cream

With over 45% fat content, double cream is extremely thick and luxurious.

Appearance & Taste:

• Dense, smooth, and slightly sweet
• Holds shape very well when whipped

Best Used For Desserts:

• Firm Frostings & Cake Fillings: Perfect for layered cakes that need stability.
• Luxury Desserts: Works in truffles, custards, and crème brûlée.
• Panna Cotta & Puddings: Adds ultra-rich texture.

3. Malai (Homemade Clotted Cream)

Traditional Indian cream that forms when full-fat milk is boiled and cooled.

Appearance & Taste:

• Thick, yellowish-white, and slightly grainy
• Rich, fatty, and slightly sweet

Best Used for Desserts:

• Rabri & Kulfi: Forms the base for these Indian sweets.
• Gajar Ka Halwa & Kheer: Enhances richness and texture.
• Shahi Tukda & Malai Sandwich: Adds indulgent layers of creaminess.

NON-DAIRY CREAMS

Non-dairy creams are made using vegetable oils, soy, coconut, or almond milk. These are popular for those who are lactose-intolerant or prefer vegan alternatives.

1. Non-Dairy Whipping Cream

A common choice for bakery and confectionery, made from vegetable oils. Brands include Rich’s, Tropolite, and Merry Whip.

Appearance & Taste:

• Light, fluffy, and slightly sweet
• Whips very well and holds shape for long durations

Best Used For Desserts:

• Cakes & Cupcakes: Widely used in commercial baking.
• Cold Desserts: Ideal for mousses and parfaits.
• Milkshakes & Frappes: Used in beverages for a creamy texture.

2. Coconut Cream

Extracted from coconut milk, this is a rich and creamy non-dairy alternative.

Appearance & Taste:

• Thick and creamy with a mild coconut flavor
• Whips moderately well with stabilizers

Best Used For Desserts:

• Vegan Cheesecakes & Ice Creams: Provides a dairy-free creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Frostings: Can be whipped with sugar for a coconut-based topping.
• Thai & Indian Sweets: Used in coconut-based desserts like payasam.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CREAM FOR DESSERTS

• For Cake Frosting & Whipped Toppings: Heavy cream, double cream, or non-dairy whipping cream.
• For Ganache & Fillings: Heavy cream or fresh cream.
• For Ice Creams & Mousses: Heavy cream, double cream, or coconut cream (vegan).
• For Indian Sweets: Malai or fresh cream.
• For Vegan & Dairy-Free Desserts: Coconut cream or almond cream.

With so many cream varieties available in India, understanding their properties helps in selecting the best one for your dessert creations. Whether you need a stable whipped cream for a cake or a rich base for ice cream, the right choice will elevate your sweet treats to perfection!