For savoury toast toppings or a filling that needs to hold its shape, start by looking at thick crème fraîche. For something you can pour, opt for a more fluid variety. If you use crème fraîche over several breakfasts, a 45 to 50 cl household tub may be a good fit, provided you can use it within the recommended time after opening. Then compare the fat content: a thick texture does not necessarily mean it is full-fat.
If crème fraîche often features in your eggs, on toast, with potatoes or in quick sauces, a household tub may suit your needs better than smaller portions. Before choosing a size, though, check how long it can be kept after opening.
If you want a thick crème fraîche but are also comparing fat content, make sure you distinguish lighter varieties from full-fat ones. Texture alone won’t tell you what’s in it.
If firmness and origin matter more to you than tub size alone, check the precise description of the crème fraîche. The French National Institute of Origin and Quality, for example, distinguishes between a smooth, pourable version and a firm, thick, matured version of Crème d’Isigny AOP.
For regular savoury breakfasts, start by choosing a size that suits how often you use crème fraîche. Texture and fat content can then help you choose between tubs of a similar size.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and storage | The size of the tub and the recommended time to use it after opening. | If I make several savoury breakfasts, I want enough crème fraîche without leaving a large tub open for too long. Around 42% of consumers prioritise finding a size that suits their needs. |
| Texture | Whether it is described as thick, semi-thick or pourable, and whether the product is intended for cold or hot use. | For topping toast or eggs, I want a crème fraîche with a texture that works for the dish. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Fat content | The fat percentage and nutritional information, expressed on the same basis, per 100 g or per 100 ml. | When comparing a lighter crème fraîche with a full-fat one, I want to know their fat content before choosing. Around 25% of consumers prioritise fat content above all else. |
According to France’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), the term “light crème fraîche” in France refers to a fat content of at least 12% and less than 30%, while “crème fraîche” means at least 30%. To compare the nutritional values of two products, use the same unit shown on their packaging.
Two thick crèmes fraîche can fall into different categories depending on their fat content. In France, the DGCCRF’s distinction is based on fat content, not texture alone.
Check the product description and fat percentage before choosing the texture that suits your dish.
A 45 or 50 cl tub may be suitable for several meals, but its size doesn’t tell you how long it will keep once opened. Auchan’s listing for Président 45 cl full-fat thick crème fraîche says to use it within 7 days of opening.
Before buying, check the guidance for the specific tub you’ve chosen and plan what you’ll use it for.
The 5 L bucket from Elle & Vire Professionnel is on a different scale from the 45 to 50 cl household tubs from Président and Auchan.
Choose a container of this size only if your intended use, storage time and available fridge space make it a practical option.
The Président range includes crème fraîche in a variety of textures. Among the products listed by Auchan is a 45 cl tub of thick, full-fat crème fraîche with 30% fat.
Elle & Vire offers, among other products, 324 g pouches of organic thick crème fraîche with 30% fat. Its professional range also includes 5 L buckets of thick crème fraîche with 35% fat.
The retailer’s range includes a 50 cl tub of Carrefour Classic’ thick, full-fat crème fraîche, as well as lighter varieties.
Auchan offers a 50 cl tub of thick, full-fat crème fraîche with 30% fat. Its product listing states that the milk is of French origin.
No. “Thick” describes the texture, while fat content determines the product description. According to the DGCCRF, in France, light crème fraîche contains at least 12% and less than 30% fat; the term “crème fraîche” means at least 30%. Check both details if you’re looking for a thick texture with a specific fat content.
Start by distinguishing the stated pack size from the amount you’ll be able to use after opening. To compare nutritional information, use values given on the same basis, per 100 g or per 100 ml, as explained by the DGCCRF.
Follow the guidance for the exact product you buy. Auchan’s listing for Président 45 cl full-fat thick crème fraîche says to store it between +2 °C and +6 °C and use it within 7 days of opening. Don’t assume the same guidance applies to another tub.
Not necessarily. Choose it if its origin and the type of crème fraîche suit what you’re looking for. According to the French National Institute of Origin and Quality, Crème d’Isigny AOP has at least 35% fat and is available as either a smooth, pourable version or a firm, thick, matured version. The two options therefore suit different texture preferences.