Who is this choice for?

Everyday organic shoppers

You want to be able to spot the organic label on your chosen cream and check its ingredients before using it regularly at breakfast.

Households that use only a little cream

You’re looking for a pack size that suits smaller quantities, taking into account how it should be stored before opening and how soon it needs to be used once opened.

Those who prefer a particular texture

You want a thick cream to serve by the spoonful or a pourable cream for a recipe, and you’re also comparing fat content and pack size.

Which criteria should you prioritise?

Organic thick crème fraîche in a pot

Choose this if: you use it several times a week and want a texture you can serve straight from the pot.

Bear in mind: the 50 cl pots listed by Carrefour Bio and Auchan Bio need to be kept in the fridge. Check the instructions for each product after opening.

Organic UHT pouring cream in cartons

Choose this if: you use small amounts and want to keep unopened cartons at room temperature.

Bear in mind: Auchan Bio’s 20 cl cartons must be kept chilled and used within five days of opening. The ingredients list includes carrageenan.

Fresh organic fleurette cream

Choose this if: a pourable texture matters most for your breakfast recipe.

Bear in mind: Auchan’s 25 cl Le Gall organic fleurette cream needs to be kept chilled, even before opening.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Organic label Look for the EU organic leaf logo and organic farming label on the packaging, then check the ingredients. If organic is my deciding factor, I want to be able to recognise it on the product rather than judge by its appearance. Around 31% of consumers put this check at the top of their list.
Storage Check the instructions for before and after opening, as well as how soon the product should be used once opened. When I only use a little cream on some mornings, I want to avoid opening a pack I can’t finish in time. Storage is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Quantity Compare the net contents of the pot or cartons with how much you use in a week. If cream is a regular part of my meals, I look for a quantity that suits how I use it without leaving any to go to waste. The right pack size comes first for around 25% of consumers.
Texture and fat content Check whether the product is labelled thick, pourable or fleurette, and look at the fat percentage. Whether I’m serving cream by the spoonful or adding it to a recipe, I want to get the texture right and know its fat content. Around 19% of consumers say this is their main priority.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing organic with lower fat content

    An organic label doesn’t tell you how much fat a cream contains. Carrefour Bio and Auchan Bio, for example, list organic full-fat creams with 30% fat, while a Carrefour result features Elle & Vire organic light thick crème fraîche with 12% fat.

    Check the organic label and fat percentage separately for the product you’re considering.

  • Choosing a large pot for occasional use

    A 50 cl pot and a 20 cl carton aren’t suited to the same rate of use, especially once opened.

    Choose a net quantity that matches how much you actually use, and check the storage instructions on the product.

    If an opened pot can’t be used within the stated storage instructions, it may end up being thrown away.

  • Following unopened-carton instructions after opening

    Auchan says its organic UHT pouring cream can be stored at room temperature before opening. Once opened, it must be refrigerated between 0 °C and +6 °C and used within five days.

    Make a note of the opening date and follow the instructions on the carton you’ve bought.

  • Assuming a product is available everywhere

    A retailer stocking a range doesn’t mean the same cream is available in every shop or for every grocery collection order. E.Leclerc notes, for example, that the availability of Bio Village products varies by store.

    Check the product and its organic labelling at the shop where you plan to do your food shopping.

Organic cream brands to consider

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour lists a 50 cl pot of pasteurised organic thick crème fraîche with 30% fat.

  • The ingredients list for this product includes cream from organic farming and lactic cultures.
  • Check that the pack size matches how much you’ll use after opening.

Auchan Bio

Auchan lists a 50 cl pot of organic thick crème fraîche with 30% fat, as well as organic UHT pouring cream in 20 cl cartons.

  • These two options let you choose between thick cream that needs to be kept chilled and UHT cartons that can be stored at room temperature before opening.
  • The UHT pouring cream contains carrageenan. Once opened, follow the storage instructions on the carton.

Elle & Vire

Carrefour’s results include Elle & Vire organic light thick crème fraîche with 12% fat.

  • This product lets you compare its stated 12% fat content with the 30% in the organic full-fat creams mentioned above.
  • Check the label of the product available to you for its ingredients, pack size and storage instructions.

Bio Village

Bio Village is an organic product range stocked by E.Leclerc, rather than a specific crème fraîche product.

  • The range can be a good place to start if you shop at E.Leclerc.
  • Check which cream is available at your local shop or for grocery collection, and read the packaging details.

Joybuy products

Products related to this topic will be featured here soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if crème fraîche is organic?

Look for the organic farming label and EU organic leaf logo on the packaging. The Ministry of Agriculture explains that this logo means the product complies with European legislation on organic production. You should also check the product name and ingredients.

Is organic crème fraîche always lower in fat?

No: organic status and fat content are two separate characteristics. Carrefour Bio and Auchan Bio list organic full-fat creams with 30% fat, while a Carrefour result features Elle & Vire organic light thick crème fraîche with 12%. Compare the percentage on the specific product you’re considering.

Can you keep organic UHT pouring cream in a cupboard?

Yes, before opening, for the Auchan Bio organic UHT pouring cream described by the retailer. After opening, Auchan says it should be kept between 0 °C and +6 °C and used within five days. Check the instructions for any other product.

Which organic cream should I choose if I want a short ingredients list?

Compare the ingredients list for each product. The lists for the Carrefour Bio and Auchan Bio thick creams featured by the retailers mention pasteurised organic cream and lactic cultures, as does the list for Auchan’s Le Gall organic fleurette cream. Auchan Bio organic UHT pouring cream also contains carrageenan.