Who are these formats for?

Hosts preparing several Christmas dishes

If sauces, gratins or side dishes are on the menu, compare the 45 cl Président tub and the 50 cl tubs from Carrefour or Auchan with the total quantity you’ll need.

Cooks using cream in several stages

If you’ll be adding cream to different dishes as you prepare them, Elle & Vire’s 324 g pouch of thick whole crème fraîche has a resealable cap to make portioning easier.

Shoppers planning ahead

If you’re preparing dishes such as gratins or quiches, it’s worth distinguishing Elle & Vire’s UHT semi-thick whole cream from crème fraîche that needs to be kept in the fridge.

What should you check before buying?

Large tub of thick crème fraîche

Worth considering: if several recipes call for thick crème fraîche and the combined quantity makes a 45 or 50 cl tub a practical choice.

Bear in mind: you may have cream left over once the tub has been opened if your recipes only use some of it.

Resealable pouch of crème fraîche

Worth considering: if you want to portion out the cream as you prepare several dishes; the Elle & Vire pouch contains 324 g.

Bear in mind: Elle & Vire says that the pouch is not yet recyclable.

UHT semi-thick cream

Worth considering: if you’re planning ahead and buying cream for dishes such as gratins and quiches, which Elle & Vire lists as uses for its UHT product.

Worth distinguishing: this isn’t chilled crème fraîche. Follow the pack instructions once opened.

Factor What to check Who it matters to
Quantity needed Add up the quantities required by your recipes and compare the total with the net contents. Don’t compare a tub labelled in cl with a pouch labelled in g as if they used the same unit. If I’m making several sauces and side dishes, I want enough cream without ending up with lots of small tubs. Around 40% of consumers would put this need for quantity first.
Texture for your recipes Check whether your recipe calls for thick or semi-thick cream, then check the type of cream on the packaging. For a sauce or gratin, I choose the texture my recipe calls for rather than focusing only on the pack size. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers.
Fat content Compare the stated fat content: the whole products mentioned contain 30%, while Auchan’s 50 cl tub of light thick crème fraîche contains 15%. If I want a large tub with a lower fat content, I check the label before choosing between the products. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this factor.
Storage For crème fraîche, check the use-by date, the stated storage temperature and the instructions for after opening. When I buy cream in advance, I need to be able to store it and use any leftovers according to the tub’s instructions. This would come first for around 10% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Relying on the word “family-size” alone

    The quantity needs to match the recipes you’re planning. A pouch labelled in grams and a tub labelled in centilitres can’t be compared as if they used the same unit.

    Note down the quantity required for each recipe, then check the net contents of each product.

  • Choosing “whole” or “light” without reading the label

    The thick whole crème fraîche products mentioned contain 30% fat, while Auchan’s 50 cl light product contains 15%. This difference alone doesn’t mean you’ll get the same result in your cooking.

    Check the fat content and the texture your recipe calls for before making a substitution.

  • Buying a large tub of chilled cream without planning how to use it

    Once opened, a large container needs to be stored according to the product instructions. Auchan’s product information for its thick whole crème fraîche says to store it between +2 °C and +6 °C and to use it soon after opening.

    Check the use-by date before buying, keep it chilled and plan how you’ll use any leftovers.

  • Confusing UHT cream with chilled crème fraîche

    Elle & Vire’s UHT semi-thick whole cream, which is presented for use in gratins and quiches, is different from thick crème fraîche that needs to be kept chilled.

    Choose according to the texture your recipe requires, and check the storage instructions both before and after opening.

Brands to consider

Président

Président offers a gastronomic whole crème fraîche with 30% fat in 20 cl and 45 cl formats.

  • The 45 cl format may suit you if several dishes call for crème fraîche.
  • Its coating texture and ability to hold up when cooked in a pan, in the oven or in a casserole are claims made by Président, not the result of a comparative test presented here.

Elle & Vire

Elle & Vire offers, among other products, thick whole chilled crème fraîche in a 324 g pouch and UHT semi-thick whole cream.

  • The chilled cream pouch has a resealable cap, making it convenient for adding cream in stages.
  • The brand says its 324 g pouch is not yet recyclable. The UHT cream is a different storage option from chilled crème fraîche.

Carrefour

Carrefour Classic' includes thick whole crème fraîche in a 50 cl tub.

  • The product information states that it contains 30% fat, with pasteurised crème fraîche and lactic cultures among its ingredients.
  • Check the information on the tub you’ve chosen before using it in your recipes.

Auchan

Auchan offers thick crème fraîche in 50 cl tubs, including a whole version with 30% fat and a light version with 15% fat.

  • The product information for the whole version specifies storage between +2 °C and +6 °C.
  • Auchan says that the ingredients may vary depending on the collection point and purchase date, so check the label on the product you receive.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How much crème fraîche should I buy for Christmas dinner?

Add up the quantities required for the dishes you’re planning to make before choosing a container. Président offers a 45 cl format, while Carrefour and Auchan sell 50 cl tubs. Compare these volumes with the net contents stated for each product, and don’t treat grams and centilitres as equivalent.

Can I use UHT cream instead of thick crème fraîche in a gratin?

It’s an option if the recipe will work with semi-thick cream: Elle & Vire presents its UHT semi-thick whole cream as suitable for dishes such as gratins and quiches. However, check the texture your recipe calls for and the pack instructions, as this isn’t chilled crème fraîche.

How should I store a large tub of crème fraîche after opening?

Follow the tub’s instructions on temperature and how soon to use the cream after opening. Auchan’s product information for its thick whole crème fraîche says to store it between +2 °C and +6 °C and to use it soon after opening. Check the instructions for the product you buy.

Can I use crème fraîche after its use-by date if it still looks fine?

No, not if the product has a use-by date: the French Ministry of the Economy describes this as a strict deadline. You should also follow the temperature stated on the packaging and the instructions for after opening.

What should I check if a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ll actually be serving. The crème fraîche products mentioned contain milk or milk cream among their ingredients, so don’t rely on the brand name or format alone.