Who are these options for?

Late-night dip fans

You’re after a thick texture to serve with crudités, crisps or savoury leftovers, rather than a cream designed mainly to be stirred into a hot sauce.

Hot snack cooks

You’re making pasta, a pan-fried dish, a quiche or a gratin and want a texture that’s easy to mix in. Elle & Vire offers runny and semi-thick creams for a range of hot dishes.

Shoppers mindful of ingredients and leftovers

You compare the product description, fat content, size and after-opening instructions before deciding how much to buy.

What should you look for before buying?

Start with the recipe: a cold dip, a hot dish or a portion where you can make use of any leftovers. Then check the label on the specific product you’ve chosen.

What to consider What to check Who it’s for
Texture for a dip Look for the description “thick” and check that the product is intended for cold use. When I’m dipping crudités or crisps, I want a sauce that coats them without being too runny. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise this texture.
Use in hot dishes Look for a runny or semi-thick texture and check the cooking uses listed on the product. When I’m quickly making pasta or a pan-fried dish, I want a cream that’s easy to stir into the recipe. This would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and size Check the product description, fat content, quantity and after-opening instructions. If I want to compare ingredients or avoid leaving a large, opened pot unfinished, this information determines what I buy. Around 30% of consumers would make it their priority.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Confusing full-fat cream with a dairy speciality

    A similar texture or appearance doesn’t mean the products have the same ingredients. In France, the DGCCRF distinguishes cream, which contains at least 30% fat, from light cream, which contains from 12% to less than 30%. Elle & Vire describes its 4% runny product as a dairy speciality.

    If you’re comparing full-fat cream with a lower-fat option, check the exact product description and ingredients list.

  • Buying a large pot for a single serving

    A 45 or 50 cl pot could leave you with leftovers after one dip. Storage instructions after opening apply to the specific product you buy, so check them before choosing a size.

    Compare the sizes available. If you choose a large pot, plan how you’ll use the rest within the timeframe stated on the packaging.

  • Assuming “runny” means “light”

    Texture and fat content are two different things: Elle & Vire’s runny and semi-thick full-fat creams contain 30% fat.

    Choose a texture to suit your recipe, then check the fat content and product description separately on the label.

  • Using crème fraîche instead of cheese for grating

    Cream intended for a dip or sauce doesn’t do the same job as a block of cheese you want to grate.

    If you plan to grate the product over your snack, look in the block cheese category.

Brands to know

Président

The range includes thick, runny and semi-thick creams, with features that vary from product to product.

  • Auchan’s product listing for Président’s 30% full-fat thick crème fraîche describes it as ideal for coating food when served cold and suitable for cooking.
  • For this product, the listing advises storing it between +2 °C and +6 °C and using it within 7 days of opening. This timeframe doesn’t apply to the whole range.

Elle & Vire

The range presented by the brand includes full-fat creams in different textures, as well as a runny dairy speciality with 4% fat.

  • Elle & Vire recommends its runny full-fat cream for sauces and hot dishes, and its semi-thick cream for oven and hob cooking.
  • The 4% runny product is described as a “dairy speciality”. Check its ingredients rather than treating it as equivalent to 30% full-fat cream.

Carrefour

Carrefour’s range includes organic thick crème fraîche with 30% fat in a 50 cl pot.

  • The listing for this product specifies pasteurised organic crème fraîche and lactic cultures.
  • Compare the 50 cl size with the amount you need for your recipes, and check the storage instructions after opening.

Auchan

The brand offers 30% full-fat thick crème fraîche in a 50 cl pot, as well as an organic version in the same size.

  • The product listings advise storing these products between +2 °C and +6 °C.
  • Auchan notes that ingredients may vary by store and purchase date. Check your local product listing and the label on your pot.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a product with 4% fat full-fat crème fraîche?

No. Elle & Vire describes its 4% runny product as a “dairy speciality”. To compare products, read their legal descriptions and ingredients. The DGCCRF states that in France, a product described as “cream” must contain at least 30% fat.

Which cream should I choose for a cold dip?

Thick crème fraîche is a good choice if you want a sauce that coats your food. If you’re making a hot sauce to stir into pasta or a pan-fried dish, check the suggested uses for runny or semi-thick products. Elle & Vire recommends these textures for hot dishes.

Can you use crème fraîche after its use-by date?

Follow the use-by date on the crème fraîche. The exception the Anses mentions for products described as “yoghurt” doesn’t apply to other fresh dairy products. After opening, follow the instructions for your specific pot too.

How should you store an opened pot of crème fraîche?

Follow the storage temperature and after-opening timeframe shown on the product you bought. The Auchan and Président listings cited for their thick creams advise storing them between +2 °C and +6 °C. The instruction to use within 7 days of opening applies to the Président product mentioned, not all crème fraîche.