Households that cook for several people
You regularly make gratins, sauces, quiches or dishes with a sauce, and want the crème fraîche to add a thick texture and a more pronounced flavour.
Who is this choice for?
Families looking to cut down on leftovers
You use crème fraîche more than once and want a container that suits your routine: a large tub or a resealable pouch, with storage instructions to check once opened.
Households that prefer a lighter option
You want thick crème fraîche for your recipes, but with a lower fat content than the full-fat products mentioned here. The ingredients list also matters when making your choice.
What should you look for?
When shopping for a large family, start with how you plan to use it in your dishes. Then choose an amount you can use before the use-by date, following the storage instructions for after opening.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Look for lactic ferments and the description “thick crème fraîche”. Don’t rely on thickness alone to judge the recipe. | For gratins or sauces served to several people, I look first for thick crème fraîche with a tangy flavour. Around 42% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Size and storage | Compare the amount in the tub or pouch with the recipes you have planned, then check the use-by date and instructions for after opening. | When I’m using crème fraîche in several recipes during the week, I want a container we can finish without leftovers. Nearly 33% of consumers would prioritise choosing the right size. |
| Fat content and ingredients | Compare the fat content of the product you’re considering and read its ingredients list, paying particular attention to any starches or thickeners. | If I want to cut down on fat in my cooking while still using thick crème fraîche, I’m happy to compare product recipes. Around 25% of consumers would make reducing fat their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming a thick texture means the crème fraîche is matured
Thickness alone doesn’t tell you what’s in the crème fraîche or how it will taste in your dish. Les Produits Laitiers links the addition of lactic ferments and maturation with the tangy, aromatic flavour people look for.
If the flavour is a key reason for your purchase, check the product description and ingredients rather than choosing by appearance alone.
-
Choosing a large container without planning how to use it
A 50 cl tub may be suitable for several family meals, but the amount should match your planned recipes and the product’s storage instructions.
Before choosing a size, plan the dishes you’ll use the crème fraîche in and check the use-by date and instructions for after opening.
-
Assuming a lighter crème fraîche has the same recipe as a full-fat one
The 15% fat lighter thick crème fraîche products from Carrefour and Auchan mentioned here contain ingredients that affect the texture, including starches or thickeners. The Carrefour Classic’ full-fat product mentioned here contains crème fraîche and lactic ferments.
Compare the ingredients lists of the specific products if you’re looking for both a particular fat content and a recipe made only with crème fraîche and ferments.
Brands to consider
The sizes and ingredients below apply to the specific products mentioned, not every crème fraîche product from each brand.
Président
The range mentioned includes full-fat thick crème fraîche with 30% fat, and a 30 cl pouch of thick crème fraîche with 25% fat.
- Carrefour’s product information for the full-fat version lists crème fraîche from France and lactic ferments.
- The storage instructions for after opening apply to this specific pouch. Check the instructions for the product you choose.
Elle & Vire
The Normandy full-fat thick crème fraîche mentioned here comes in a 324 g pouch and has a 30% fat content.
- This product combines full-fat crème fraîche and lactic ferments; Elle & Vire says its pouch has a resealable cap.
- Elle & Vire says its pouches are not yet recyclable. Also check that 324 g is right for the way you plan to use it.
Carrefour Classic’
The products mentioned include a 50 cl tub of full-fat thick crème fraîche and a 497 g tub of lighter thick crème fraîche with 15% fat.
- The ingredients list for the 50 cl full-fat product names pasteurised crème fraîche and lactic ferments.
- The lighter version also contains modified starches and pectins. Compare the two recipes if the ingredients matter to you.
Marque Repère / Délisse (E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc’s range includes thick crème fraîche with 30% fat and lighter versions with 15% fat, in 20 cl and 50 cl sizes.
- These sizes let you choose an amount that suits the number of recipes you have planned.
- To choose between two products, check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging.
Auchan
The range mentioned includes a 50 cl tub of full-fat thick crème fraîche with 30% fat, and a lighter version with 15% fat in 20 cl or 50 cl sizes.
- The product information for the lighter version mentions lactic ferments, so you can check its ingredients before buying.
- This lighter version also contains modified maize starch and guar gum. Don’t assume the full-fat version has the same recipe.
Lidl
Lidl France included a full-fat thick crème fraîche with 30% fat in a comparison based on research carried out on 30 May 2024.
- This description can be a useful guide if you’re looking for full-fat thick crème fraîche.
- When shopping, check which product is actually available locally and read its label.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if matured crème fraîche has a more pronounced flavour?
Look for thick crème fraîche with lactic ferments and check the ingredients list. Les Produits Laitiers explains that adding ferments and then maturing the cream gives it a thick texture and a tangy, aromatic flavour. The word “thick” on its own doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe.
Is a 50 cl tub suitable for a large family shop?
Yes, if your planned meals will use that amount before the use-by date and you follow the instructions for after opening. Carrefour Classic’ and Marque Repère / Délisse offer full-fat thick crème fraîche in this size. A resealable pouch may also suit you if the amount better matches your routine.
Does lighter thick crème fraîche only contain less fat?
Not necessarily. The 15% fat lighter products from Carrefour and Auchan mentioned here also contain ingredients that affect the texture, such as starches, pectins or guar gum, depending on the product. Compare the ingredients lists if you’re looking for a recipe made only with crème fraîche and lactic ferments.
How long can you keep a pouch of crème fraîche after opening?
Follow the storage instructions and time limit shown on the pouch you buy, and check its use-by date. Instructions given for a Président or Elle & Vire product don’t automatically apply to another pouch or a tub.