What’s the difference between refrigerated crema and this? Is there a difference?
by OrangeBella
Mexican Food
What’s the difference between refrigerated crema and this? Is there a difference?
by OrangeBella
2 Comments
The same as any canned dairy product vs its refrigerated version: preservatives. You can still use it with the same dishes as fresh cream.
Most refrigerated cremas are “crema entera” (entera means whole). It is thicker to the point you can spread it on a tostada. Canned crema is “media crema” (media means half). Media crema is not as tick and can be poured, commonly as the final touch on things like tostadas and enchiladas. Media crema can come in tetra pack or canned and is meant to have a longer shelf life than the refrigerated. So I’d say they’re not the same, but unless a recipe calls for one or the other specifically, it comes to preference.
That one on the image you shared is my favorite. It’s got a rich, slightly sweet flavor that tetra pack media cremas don’t have but you can have them in the pantry ready and good for months.