Quick answer: light cream, coffee cream and table cream are the same thing in the U.S.: cream with 18% to under 30% milkfat. Media crema is a shelf-stable table cream popular in Latin American cooking. None of them whips to stiff peaks; use heavy cream for that.
Where light cream sits
| Cream | Milkfat | Whips? |
|---|---|---|
| Half-and-half | 10.5% to under 18% | No |
| Light cream / coffee cream / table cream | 18% to under 30% | No |
| Light whipping cream | 30% to under 36% | Yes |
| Heavy cream | 36% or more | Yes |
In Britain, the closest product is single cream (18%). See all types of cream.
What is media crema?
Media crema is a canned or boxed table cream that keeps unopened in the pantry. It is pourable, mild and slightly thick, and it is a staple in Mexican and Latin American kitchens: poured over strawberries or fruit salad, stirred into creamy pasta and rajas, and used in desserts. Refrigerate it after opening. Check the label for the exact fat content, which varies by brand.
How to use light cream
- In coffee and tea, for a richer cup than half-and-half.
- Poured over fruit, cobblers and puddings.
- In creamy soups and sauces, added near the end and kept below a boil.
- In scrambled eggs, quiche and mashed potatoes.
Can you whip it?
Whipped cream needs at least 30% fat to trap air. Light cream and media crema will foam or thicken a little, especially when very cold, but they will not hold peaks. For whipped cream, use heavy cream; see how to make whipped cream. If you have no heavy cream, see whipped cream without heavy cream.
Substitutes
- For light cream: equal parts heavy cream and whole milk.
- For media crema: light cream, or heavy cream thinned with a little milk. Mexican crema and crème fraîche are tangier.
- For heavy cream in a recipe: light cream works in soups and sauces if you keep the heat gentle, but not for whipping; see heavy cream substitutes.
Related: heavy cream vs half-and-half and strawberries and cream.
Frequently asked questions
What is light cream?
Cream with 18% to under 30% milkfat. In the U.S. it may also be labeled coffee cream or table cream. It is richer than half-and-half and lighter than whipping cream.
What is media crema?
A shelf-stable table cream sold in cans or cartons and widely used in Mexican and Latin American cooking, for example in fresas con crema, creamy sauces and desserts.
Can you whip light cream or media crema?
Not to stiff peaks. They have too little fat. Well-chilled media crema thickens when beaten, which is enough for spooning over fruit.
What can I substitute for light cream?
Mix equal parts heavy cream and whole milk, or use half-and-half with a splash of heavy cream.
