Who is this option for?

People organising a shared lunch

You’re planning a sauce or side dish for several people and want a tub of thick cream in a quantity you’ll actually use.

People comparing fat content

You’re considering thick cream with 15% rather than 30% fat and also want to check the ingredients.

People taking lunch with them

You’re bringing a chilled product and can take an insulated bag, as well as making sure any leftovers go back in the fridge. ANSES recommends keeping the time spent transporting chilled food to a minimum.

What should you look for?

For lunch on deck, first check how you’ll keep the crème fraîche chilled. Then choose the quantity and type of product to suit your recipe: thick crème fraîche in a tub or UHT semi-thick cream in cartons.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Keeping it chilled during transport Whether you can use an insulated bag and keep the journey as short as possible for a chilled product. If I’m taking a chilled tub with me, I need to be able to keep it cold until serving; around 33% of consumers might put this precaution first.
Quantity to share A 50 cl size and the amount needed for your recipe, so you can plan what to do with any leftovers. For a sauce served to several people, I’d rather have enough cream without ending up with a lot left over; this might be a priority for around 27% of consumers.
Fat content and ingredients The stated fat content, including 15% or 30% for the products featured, and the ingredients list. If I prefer a version with 15% fat, I also want to know what’s in it; around 20% of consumers might make this their priority.
Pack size and texture Whether it’s labelled “thick crème fraîche” or “UHT semi-thick cream”, and the size of the containers. If I’m using cream in several dishes, separate cartons might suit me better than one tub; this might be the top consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a large tub without planning how to keep it chilled

    For lunch away from home, a 50 cl tub is no substitute for chilled transport. ANSES recommends using an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible for food that needs to stay cold.

    Plan how you’ll transport it before buying, and put the opened tub back in the fridge promptly after serving.

  • Choosing a lighter cream based on its percentage alone

    The 15% fat light thick creams from Auchan and DELISSE contain modified starch. Fat content alone, then, doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in them.

    Compare the stated percentage with the ingredients list for the product you’re planning to buy.

  • Confusing UHT semi-thick cream with thick crème fraîche

    Elle & Vire’s full-fat UHT semi-thick cream is a different product from thick crème fraîche in a tub. Don’t assume it will have the same texture for a cold side dish.

    Start by choosing the texture your recipe needs, then follow the storage instructions on the carton, especially once it’s open.

Brands to consider

Elle & Vire

Elle & Vire offers full-fat UHT semi-thick cream with 30% fat, in 3 × 20 cl or 1 L packs.

  • The smaller cartons make it easy to divide the cream between several dishes.
  • This semi-thick cream contains modified starch, pectin and carrageenans, among other ingredients; it isn’t thick crème fraîche in a tub.

CARREFOUR CLASSIC'

Carrefour offers full-fat thick crème fraîche in a 50 cl tub.

  • The ingredients list shown includes pasteurised crème fraîche and lactic cultures.
  • This tub of crème fraîche needs to be transported and stored chilled.

AUCHAN

Auchan offers two 50 cl tubs of thick crème fraîche: a full-fat version with 30% fat and a lighter one with 15% fat.

  • The same pack size lets you choose according to the fat content you’re looking for.
  • The ingredients list for the lighter version includes modified starches and stabilisers; check the label on the tub you choose.

DELISSE (E.Leclerc)

E.Leclerc offers DELISSE light thick crème fraîche with 15% fat in a 50 cl tub.

  • The 50 cl size could work well for a dish to share, if you expect to use that amount.
  • The ingredients list includes modified maize starch; check the composition if it influences your choice.

MILSANI (ALDI)

ALDI offers MILSANI thick crème fraîche in a 50 cl pack.

  • The pack size could suit a quantity intended for several people.
  • Read the label on the product you choose for its fat content, ingredients and storage instructions.

Joybuy products for this lunch

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a tub of thick crème fraîche with me for lunch outdoors?

Yes, as long as you can transport and keep it chilled. ANSES recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum; put the opened product back in the fridge promptly after your meal.

What should I compare between thick cream with 30% and 15% fat?

Compare the fat content and ingredients list, not just the “full-fat” or “light” description. Auchan’s 30% and 15% products are both available in 50 cl tubs, while the light version shown contains modified starches and stabilisers.

What information should I check on the tub or carton?

Check the product name, ingredients, net quantity and nutritional information to tell products apart. Also check the storage instructions and date on the packaging before planning how to transport and use it.