Who is this guide for?

Two-person households that use crème fraîche occasionally

When a pot is only used for one recipe, its size and the stated storage time after opening matter more than buying a larger pack.

People who also cook for children visiting

For a sauce, gratin or dessert with a mild flavour, the product description can help you choose. However, the word ‘mild’ tells you nothing about its fat content.

People comparing texture and fat content

Full-fat thick crème fraîche and a lighter version may have different ingredients. Compare their fat content, ingredients and stated culinary uses.

What should you check?

If you use crème fraîche occasionally in a two-person household, start with the quantity your recipe needs, then check the flavour description and the texture you’re looking for. These are separate considerations: a crème fraîche described as mild isn’t necessarily low-fat.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Pack size and storage Compare the quantity with the recipes you have planned, then check the use-by date and the stated storage time after opening for the product you choose. If I rarely cook with crème fraîche, I’d rather choose a pot I can finish than leave leftovers in the fridge. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise pack size and minimising leftovers.
Mild flavour Look for a flavour description on the specific product, and check its ingredients and fat content separately. When I’m sharing a meal with children, a mild flavour is my priority. I wouldn’t judge how mild it is by the fat content alone. Taste would be the first consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Texture and fat content Compare the fat content, ingredients and stated suitability for a sauce or gratin. When I’m making a hot dish, I want to choose a texture that suits my recipe while deciding what fat content to go for. This would be the top consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming ‘mild’ means ‘low-fat’

    Paysan Breton’s thick crème fraîche, described as mild, contains 30% fat. So the flavour description doesn’t replace the nutritional information.

    Choose the flavour you’re looking for, then compare the fat content and ingredients of the products separately.

  • Choosing a large pot without planning how you’ll use it

    In a two-person household, how much is left after making a recipe depends on the pack size you buy. The stated storage time after opening can also vary between products.

    Before you buy, match the pot size to the recipes you have planned and check the storage instructions on the label.

  • Swapping thick crème fraîche for UHT pouring cream without checking the recipe

    Elle & Vire’s 4% fat UHT pouring dairy product doesn’t have the same name or texture as full-fat thick crème fraîche. You can’t assume it will give the same result in a dish.

    For a sauce or gratin, check the product name, texture and recommended use rather than choosing based only on how it’s stored.

  • Overlooking the ingredients list

    Carrefour Classic’ 15% and Elle & Vire 12% lighter recipes include ingredients such as starches or potato starch. It’s also worth checking the ingredients carefully if someone at the table needs to avoid a particular ingredient.

    Check the ingredients list for the exact product and look for allergens highlighted on the packaging.

Brands to compare

Président

The range includes thick, pouring and semi-thick crème fraîche, as well as long-life options.

  • Président describes its 30% fat Gastronomique thick crème fraîche as creamy and suitable for various cooking methods.
  • These descriptions apply to this product; they don’t apply to every Président crème fraîche.

Elle & Vire

The 12% fat organic light thick crème fraîche can be compared with the brand’s long-life products.

  • The organic light thick product lists light cream, potato starch and cultures among its ingredients.
  • The 4% fat UHT pouring product is a dairy product, so don’t confuse it with thick crème fraîche when choosing for a particular recipe.

Carrefour Classic’

Two thick varieties let you compare a 196 g pot of full-fat 30% crème fraîche with a 497 g pot of lighter 15% crème fraîche.

  • The full-fat product lists 99.9% pasteurised crème fraîche and lactic cultures.
  • The lighter product also lists modified starches and pectins, so check its ingredients rather than assuming it has the same recipe.

Delisse / Marque Repère (E.Leclerc)

The range includes 30% fat thick crème fraîche in 20 cl and 50 cl packs.

  • These two pack sizes make it easier to match the amount you buy to the recipes you have planned.
  • Compare each product separately: don’t choose lighter or UHT varieties based on pack size alone.

Auchan

The selection includes 15% fat light and 30% fat full-fat thick crème fraîche, in a range of pack sizes.

  • The 20 cl and 50 cl packs give you quantities to compare for occasional use.
  • To choose a specific product, check its product details and label: the range as a whole doesn’t tell you about its flavour or ingredients.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘mild’ crème fraîche contain less fat?

No. ‘Mild’ describes the advertised flavour, not the fat content. Paysan Breton’s thick crème fraîche, described as mild, contains 30% fat, so compare the flavour description with the nutritional information separately.

How long can you use crème fraîche after opening?

Follow the storage instructions and time stated on the product you buy. The product details for the Paysan Breton thick crème fraîche mentioned here state six days after opening; don’t apply that guidance to a different product.

Can UHT pouring cream replace thick crème fraîche?

Not without checking what the recipe calls for: the two products may differ in texture, ingredients and fat content. Elle & Vire’s 4% fat UHT pouring dairy product isn’t the same as full-fat thick crème fraîche.

What should you check on the label before sharing a meal with children?

Check the ingredients, any highlighted allergens, the date and the storage instructions for the product you choose. The DGCCRF advises that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels; a mild flavour description doesn’t replace these checks.