What is Fresh Cream? Glossary, Uses & Recipes

Fresh cream is extensively used across various Indian cuisines, playing a vital role in adding richness and a creamy texture to a multitude of dishes. In North Indian cooking, it's a staple for enriching gravies in popular dishes like Butter Chicken, Paneer Makhani, or Malai Kofta, giving them a luscious, velvety finish. It's also incorporated into many desserts, from traditional Kheer and Phirni to more modern fruit creams and trifles, providing a delicate sweetness and smoothness. Its mild flavor ensures it doesn't overpower other ingredients but rather enhances them.

Beyond gravies and desserts, fresh cream finds its way into other Indian culinary applications. It's often used to make creamy vegetable preparations or soups, offering a subtle richness without being too heavy. In some regions, it can be a part of traditional bread accompaniments or dips, providing a smooth base. While not as common for direct consumption as yogurt, it can be a delightful addition to fruit salads or a simple dollop on top of hot beverages like coffee or hot chocolate, especially for those seeking a richer texture.

One of the significant advantages of fresh cream in India is its versatility in texture. While it might not whip into stiff peaks as easily as higher-fat heavy cream (which often requires specific chilling conditions and techniques, as seen in the Amul Fresh Cream whipped cream recipe), it can still be gently whipped to a soft consistency. This makes it suitable for lighter toppings or for adding airiness to desserts without making them overly dense. Its lower fat content compared to some Western counterparts also makes it a preferred choice for daily cooking where a touch of creaminess is desired without excessive richness.

Fresh cream's widespread availability, particularly in convenient tetra packs, and its adaptable nature have cemented its place in Indian kitchens. It bridges the gap between traditional dairy products and Western culinary influences, allowing for the creation of a wide range of dishes that are both authentic in flavor and appealing in texture. Its balance of fat and creaminess makes it an indispensable ingredient for adding a touch of indulgence to everyday meals and special occasions alike.

How to Select Fresh Cream

• Puffy and leaking boxes of cream are best avoided.

• Cream in a tetra pack or box, is not exactly fresh, but thats the closest equivalent to fresh cream.

Uses of Fresh Cream in Indian cooking

1. Fresh cream is obtained by skimming the top layer of milk. It is super rich and enhances the flavor of all the things it is added to.

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2. Adding cream to coffee makes it taste better, giving it a luscious taste. Not only is it added to hot coffee, but is also added to cold coffee preparations.

3. In India, it is used in various types of dishes. Adding it to subzis like Methi Matar Malai provides a rich and mouth feel and thicker gravy that is more enjoyable to eat. It also settles the flavor down a little bit if any spice or chili is overpowering the food. Similarly it is used in rice preparations like Kofta biryani and thick dals to make them creamier.

4. Fresh cream is used in soups to make them creamier in taste, the most famous soups being Cream of Tomato and Cream of Broccoli soup.

5. Sour Cream, which is an essential for Mexican cuisine, is also made from fresh cream.

6. Since it is so rich and creamy, it is an important ingredient to make Ice Cream. Because of fresh cream, the ice creams turn out perfect even without an ice cream maker and doesn’t form any ice crystals on cooling.

7. Different types of desserts that require some velvety texture to them, all use fresh cream as an ingredient. It is especially important in making Panna Cotta, a lush and pillowy dessert.

8. Italian Food uses cream as one of their main ingredients. Fetuccine Alfredo, or for that matter, any white sauce pasta, has fresh cream in it to get an even consistency which is rich, flowy and coats the pasta well.

9. Fruit salads taste exceptionally delicious drizzled with fresh cream.

How to Store Fresh Cream

• Before opening, store the cream in a cool and dry place for up to 120 days from packaging. It does not require any refrigeration. But once opened, store in a refrigerator and use within 4 days.

Health Benefits of Fresh Cream

1 tbsp of Amul fresh cream (15 gm) provides around 37 calories, out of which 34 calories are from fat (22 calories result from saturated fat), 2 calories from carbs and 1 calorie from protein. Till late, saturated fat was always looked upon as that evil fat which would lead to high cholesterol levels and strokes. Offhand, studies have revealed no such association. In fact, fats will keep you full for a long time and avoid bingeing and weight gain. However, the proportion of cream and the way you use them in cooking is of great importance to maintain your waistline. You can add about a tsp of fresh cream once in a while to your meals, especially coffee, to enhance the taste. Moreover, the use of cream cuts down on bitterness of the coffee, so you won’t add any sugar to your coffee. Addition of sugar will anyways cause more harm to your body. But, try not to add fresh cream in bulk frequently. Also remember that with any kind of diet to stay fit and healthy, you need to follow a good exercise plan on a daily basis. 

FAQs

1. What is fresh cream? 

   Fresh cream is a dairy product obtained by skimming the top fat layer from milk (before homogenization). In India, it's richer than plain milk but less thick than butter or ghee. Popular brands like Amul Fresh Cream have about 25% milk fat, unlike Western heavy cream (35%+ fat).

    

2. How is fresh cream different from malai? 

   Malai is the traditional clotted cream collected from boiled buffalo or cow milk at home (thicker and more natural). Fresh cream (like Amul tetra pack) is a processed, standardized version with consistent 25% fat, easier to store and use in recipes. They are similar in richness but malai is often homemade and fresher in texture.

    

3. How is fresh cream different from whipping cream or heavy cream?

   Fresh cream (India, ~25% fat): Great for gravies, soups, desserts; adds creaminess but doesn't whip to stiff peaks easily.

   Whipping cream (~30-35% fat): Whips into soft/stiff peaks for toppings, cakes, pastries.

   Heavy cream (35%+ fat): Richer, used in Western recipes; can substitute in Indian dishes but may make them heavier. Amul Fresh Cream works for most Indian cooking but needs special chilling/beating for soft whipping.

    

4. What are the common uses of fresh cream in Indian cooking? 

   It adds richness and velvety texture to:

   North Indian gravies (Paneer Makhani, Malai Kofta, Methi Matar Malai).

   Creamy soups (Cream of Tomato, Cream of Broccoli).

   Desserts (Kheer, Phirni, fruit creams, Panna Cotta, no-churn ice cream).

   Rice dishes (Kofta biryani), dals, pasta in white sauce, dips, fruit salads, coffee/hot chocolate. It balances spices, reduces bitterness, and gives a restaurant-style finish.

    

5. Is fresh cream healthy? What are its nutritional benefits? 

   1 tablespoon (15g) of Amul Fresh Cream provides ~37 calories (mostly from fat, including saturated fat). Recent studies show saturated fats aren't directly linked to high cholesterol or strokes when used moderately. It promotes fullness, helps avoid overeating, and can reduce sugar in coffee by cutting bitterness. Use in moderation (e.g., 1 tsp occasionally) with exercise for a balanced diet.

    

6. How should I store fresh cream?

   Unopened tetra pack: Store in a cool, dry place (no refrigeration needed) for up to 120 days from packaging date.

   Once opened: Refrigerate immediately and use within 4 days. Avoid puffy or leaking packs when buying.

    

7. Can I whip fresh cream (like Amul) for cakes or toppings? 

   Yes, but it whips to a soft consistency (not stiff peaks like higher-fat creams). Freeze the pack for 4+ hours, chill bowl/beater, use an ice bath, and beat on low then high speed in a cool room/AC for best results. Use immediately or within 30 minutes, as it may lose texture.

    

8. What can I substitute for fresh cream in recipes?

   For gravies/curries: Malai (from milk), or a mix of butter + milk, or coconut cream (for vegan/lactose-free).

   For richer texture: Heavy/whipping cream if available (adjust quantity).

   Yogurt or Greek yogurt for lighter/healthier versions (changes taste slightly). In Indian dishes, fresh cream is preferred for authentic creaminess.

    

9. Can fresh cream be used in desserts and savory dishes? 

   Yes—it's versatile! It thickens gravies without curdling, smooths desserts, prevents ice crystals in homemade ice cream, and enhances mouthfeel in subzis, soups, pasta, and beverages.

    

10. Why do many Indian recipes call for fresh cream instead of other creams? 

    It's widely available (tetra packs), affordable, has a balanced fat level for Indian flavors, and adds lusciousness without overpowering spices. It bridges traditional malai with convenient modern use in vegetarian cooking.