Cream is a milk product obtained by processing raw materials in special equipment, where the fat is separated from the rest of the liquid. The name comes from the word "merge". According to the old technology, the fatty layer of milk accumulated on the surface was drained and used to prepare various dishes or sour cream.
In modern conditions, the product is most often obtained industrially. The cream is sold in pasteurized, canned (concentrated or condensed with sugar), whipped and dried. After all, this product is an excellent base for cream, sauce, soup or desserts, including traditional ice cream.
The shops offer various types of cream from domestic and foreign producers. Products differ in fat content, processing method, price and type of packaging. Each type of product has its own requirements and quality standards, which are the benchmark for manufacturers.
Content
How the most popular types of cream differ
Most stores offer the following types of cream products:
- drinking;
- for whipping;
- whipped;
- canned (with or without sugar);
- dry.
The storage life and properties of products are influenced by the method of processing raw materials. UHT cream is stored the longest (6 months), sterilized less (up to 4 months). The shelf life of pasteurized products is shorter (3-4 days), since this is the most gentle type of processing.
Dry and condensed (canned) creamy products have a longer shelf life (from 6 to 12 months). Whipped cream in a spray can have different shelf life; unopened, it can last up to 10 months.
However, opening the package greatly reduces the shelf life of products, up to 2-3 hours for pasteurized ones.
An important indicator for cream is the percentage of its fat content. It can vary from 10 to 35%. Based on this, the products are used either for drinking and adding to drinks. Drinking varieties have a fat content of 10 to 20%, and products with a fat content of 25% or more are used for whipping. Products with less than 10% fat cannot be called cream.
What do the names on the packaging mean
Often, a manufacturer indicates a method of producing cream in terms that are not too clear for buyers. These terms have the following meanings:
- normalized - obtained with the help of a separator, for their production only whole milk or low-fat milk is used;
- recombined - made from milk components (buttermilk, butter, protein, milk of different fat content);
- mixed - a mixture of recombined and dry cream;
- reconstituted - diluted from dry cream;
- vegetable - made from palm milk. (lower in calories, do not contain bad cholesterol, but have a specific taste).
Quality criteria
The state standard defines the taste, appearance and composition of products.
Cream intended for drinking and whipping should ideally be free from off-flavors and odors.GOST allows "characteristic boiling taste" and salty sweetish taste.
As a rule, sterilized or ultra-pasteurized types of products have a salty taste due to the addition of stabilizers based on sodium or potassium compounds.
If you feel bitterness or smell of feed, the product is of poor quality.
The consistency of the liquid should be uniform, without greasy lumps and protein flakes. Higher viscosity is also not allowed (should not "stretch"). But fat in the form of a small film can be, but should dissolve easily with stirring.
The color of high-quality cream products is white with a yellowish or uniform cream shade (for sterilized products).
In the composition, not only the amount of calcium is normalized, but also its ratio with phosphorus (the optimal ratio is 1: 1 and higher). A high phosphate content is not allowed at all, as is the presence of starch as a thickener.
Protein varies with an increase in fat from 2.2 to 2.6%. The acidity index should not exceed the threshold of 19 -18%.
According to some experts, the best products are those that do not contain powdered milk, that is, standardized cream.
Best for drinking and whipping
An independent examination carried out by Roskontrol first examined the quality of products with a fat content of 10% to 20% intended for drinking. This category of products is best represented in stores.
According to the results of the check, it was revealed that the fat content of the products exactly corresponds to that indicated on the package, but the composition of some manufacturers includes elements that are not declared in the list: starch, phosphates. At the same time, the presence of vegetable fats was not recorded, no violations were found according to microbiological indicators.
The leaders were the cream: "Milava", "Avida", Valio, "Auchan", "White City", "House in the Village".
For whipping, cream with a fat content of 33% of such brands as Bely Gorod, Domik v Derevne, Svitlogorye were recognized as the best.
The goods under the Every Day trademark turned out to be of poor quality - they contained starch. The level of phosphates in goods from the brands "Everyday" and "Prostokvashino", in which these components are used as stabilizers, is relatively increased.
Milava
- the most delicious.
This natural product is produced in Belarus, in the city of Gomel by JSC Milkavita. The taste and composition is almost beyond competition. Package volume - 0.5 l, there is a convenient lid, fat content - 10%. Suitable for use in cocktails and coffee. Processing method - UHT.
Benefits:
- quality;
- pleasant taste;
- no additional ingredients;
- relatively long shelf life;
- convenient packaging.
Disadvantages:
- not often found in the store;
- the price is relatively high.
Avida
- natural and affordable.
Products under the Avida brand are produced in the city of Stary Oskol in compliance with all requirements from standardized cream (without adding milk powder). Customers note the pleasant taste and convenient small package (200 g). There is a choice of products with a fat content of 10 and 20%.
Benefits:
- natural, without added milk powder;
- pleasant sweetish taste;
- good value for money;
- convenient packaging.
Disadvantages:
- phosphates are present in small amounts.
Valio
- the best for coffee.
Products of this brand are offered 10% (for coffee and pastries) and 20% fat (for sauces and cream). Slightly sweet taste and delicate texture are the hallmarks of Valio. For this Finnish brand, the goods are manufactured by Ryazan Agromolkombinat LLC.
Benefits:
- natural, high quality product;
- sweetish taste;
- convenient packaging with a lid;
- a wide range of;
- available in stores.
Disadvantages:
- phosphates may be present;
- the price is above average.
"Auchan"
- a budget option.
Initially, this brand is focused on making goods at a reasonable price without losing quality.In practice, the calcium content in the products turned out to be quite high and the taste corresponds to GOST. However, a number of insignificant shortcomings were also identified.
Benefits:
- low price;
- compliance;
- convenient packaging with a lid;
- long shelf life.
Disadvantages:
- there is a discrepancy between the% fat content indicated on the package;
- available only in the manufacturer's chain stores.
"White City"
- for whipping.
Belgorod Dairy Plant produces excellent cream products with a fat content of 33%, intended for whipping. The correct thick consistency allows you to quickly prepare airy foam, which is used in desserts, cocktails. The product is also well suited for making ice cream.
Benefits:
- natural product;
- good quality;
- pleasant taste;
- no extraneous ingredients;
- average price.
Disadvantages:
- rarely found in stores.
"House in the village"
- for desserts.
This trademark is one of the most widespread, working in Russia (Moscow city). An assortment of drinking and culinary creams is presented, but it was the products of 33% fat that received popular recognition. According to buyers, they make delicious high-quality desserts.
The packaging is quite bulky - 480 g. And the shelf life for pasteurized products is short - 4 months. The relatively low price is also pleasant.
Benefits:
- the price is lower than that of foreign manufacturers;
- beat well;
- natural;
- available in stores.
Disadvantages:
- short shelf life;
- there is a slight mismatch of fat content with the declared one.
Best canned
Condensed cream is a type of canned food that has a long shelf life, an additional ingredient and special quality requirements. A concentrated sugar-free product is very rare on the market. They differ from condensed milk in a larger proportion of milk fat (19%) and in calories.
"Condensed milk" is produced by evaporation of moisture from dairy raw materials with the addition of a large amount of sugar.
The product is widely used in cooking and confectionery. However, its direct purpose was to provide milk to the regions of the Far North and other remote territories, where there were supply interruptions. Currently, the product is popular with tourists as it does not require special storage conditions.
The standard (GOST 4937-85) defines a slightly viscous, thick consistency without lumps, a light beige color and a rich milky smell, the taste of caramel is considered the norm.
High-quality canned food contains whole milk, cream and sugar. No other ingredients are allowed.
Condensed cream "Rogachevsky MKK"
- best quality.
One of the sales leaders was products from Belarus under the brand name "Rogachevsky MKK". The cream condensed with sugar contains only high-quality natural ingredients. And older customers recommend them as a product that reminds them of canned food from the times of the USSR (and the label is decorated in the same style).
Rogachev milk canned food is produced in traditional packaging (iron can) weighing 360 g and in a more modern version - soft packaging, which is convenient to take on the road. The shelf life is 12 months.
Benefits:
- quality (full compliance with the standard);
- rich taste;
- natural;
- relatively available in large stores;
- long shelf life;
- convenient packaging (2 types).
Disadvantages:
- high price.
Cream "Volokonovskoe" condensed with sugar "selected"
High-quality domestically produced condensed milk (OJSC Belmolprodukt in Volokonovka, Belgorod Region). The consistency is thick, pleasant taste, there are no extraneous ingredients, produced in accordance with GOST. There are no lumps, candied pieces.
According to buyers, the product is suitable for sauces and toppings of various dishes (from pancakes to cereals), for adding to coffee, since the taste is moderately sweet.
The cream is packed in a small 400 ml food-grade plastic bucket with a handle. The package is closed with a lid, convenient design.
Benefits:
- taste and quality;
- convenient packaging;
- affordable price.
Disadvantages:
- not often found in stores.
"Cow from Korenovski"
Products manufactured under this brand are quite popular due to their good combination of price and quality. Cream in consistency, color and fat content corresponds to the standards. They are produced both in a metal jar and in a package with a dispenser. No extra ingredients.
Buyers, however, note a number of disadvantages associated with the presence of inclusions of white (perhaps the product is made using dry cream). Although this does not affect the taste.
Benefits:
- natural ingredients;
- pleasant taste;
- convenient packaging;
- affordable price;
- available in stores.
Disadvantages:
- interspersed consistency
Whipped cream in spray cans
Whipped cream is actually a ready-to-eat product that is used in the preparation of desserts and drinks both at home and in cafes. In fact, a good quality whipped cream should contain only two ingredients - cream and sugar.
But often products in spray cans contain emulsifiers, botanicals, flavors and stabilizers. Therefore, when choosing a product, you should carefully read the composition.
Svitlogorye
The advantage of this brand from Belarus is the minimal presence of harmful ingredients. At least the components with the E index are missing there. Buyers also note not sugary taste and light, airy consistency.
Convenient packaging with a dispenser allows the product to be used for coffee and desserts. No splashing effect at the end. Fat content - only 20%.
Benefits:
- quality raw materials;
- no vegetable fats;
- fewer harmful ingredients;
- little sugar;
- average price.
Disadvantages:
- difficult to find in stores.
Alpengurt "Conditor"
This brand from Germany is present in all major chain stores. It is popular for its quality and wide range. The composition also contains emulsifiers and stabilizers.
Convenient packaging with a dispenser allows you to use it for making desserts and adding to coffee. The price is quite high.
Benefits:
- quality;
- no vegetable fats;
- available in most stores.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- at the end of use they are sprayed out rather than squeezed out.
Schlang wunder
One of the fairly popular brands, presented in almost all stores. There are many types of products with different flavors. Fat content of cream -30%.
You need to use it quickly enough - the foam settles
Benefits:
- quality;
- pleasant taste;
- lack of vegetable fats;
- available in most stores.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- components that cannot be classified as natural;
- high fat content.
Benefits and limitations
Cream has the same beneficial properties as milk, but it has a higher concentration of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. For those who actively expend energy, this product will allow you to quickly recover.
Nutritionists are divided over the drink. Some suggest including drinking natural cream in the therapeutic diet for certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, stomach ulcer). May be useful for some types of poisoning for detoxification.
The presence of l-tryptophan, which inhibits the excitation of the nervous system, determines the benefits of the presence of the product in the diet of those suffering from sleep disorders, nervous disorders, and depression. And lecithin helps to remove harmful cholesterol from the body. Therefore, older people and those prone to overweight are advised to replace butter with cream (but the amount should be moderate).
