Let’s face it, coffee and cream were made for one another. The smoothness of cream balances out the bitterness of coffee in the most delectable way. But does this only include half-n-half? Or can you put heavy cream in coffee too?
This is a question I get asked all the time. Many coffee drinkers love using a creamer to enhance their coffee. But there’s something about heavy cream that raises eyebrows.
CAN YOU PUT HEAVY CREAM IN COFFEE?
The short answer is yes. You can absolutely put heavy cream in your coffee.
You could also put hot sauce in your coffee if you really wanted to. However, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Many coffee drinkers speculate about using heavy cream because it may cause the coffee to curdle. This happens when you have very acidic beans and a high amount of lactic acid in your cream.
As cream ages, it builds up lactic acid, which is more likely to result in a curdled cup. The good news is the higher fat content of the cream decreases the chance of curdling.
Also, the fresher your heavy cream, the less likely it will curdle when you add it to your coffee.
WHY PUT HEAVY CREAM IN COFFEE?
A splash of heavy cream can transform your coffee into a rich, silky smooth cup. And the taste? That’s even more heavenly than the texture.
Heavy cream is high in fat content, and it’s the rich, thick stuff that collects on the surface when making milk. It’s so rich that it has one of the highest dairy fat contents in the United States.
All that fat gives it a super lush, creamy flavor that’s the perfect accompaniment to a drip coffee, cold brew, or specialty espresso drink.
Really, the question should be, “why aren’t you putting heavy cream in your coffee?”
WHAT DOES HEAVY CREAM TASTE LIKE IN COFFEE?
As I mentioned, heavy cream will change the mouthfeel and taste of your coffee. Pour a little in, and you’ll instantly notice a glorious creamy color. When you take a sip, you’ll be greeted by a smooth cup.
Unlike coffee creamers, heavy cream isn’t sweet. But it’s oh-so-amazingly creamy.
It will taste similar to coffee with half-n-half, but noticeably richer and creamier. So creamy, you may have a hard time going back to that watered-down half-n-half stuff.
HOW MUCH HEAVY CREAM SHOULD YOU USE?
After asking whether you can put heavy cream in coffee, the next question I get asked is how much?
The answer is, it depends. Generally, a spoonful is a good place to start.
If you only like a splash of cream in your coffee, use less. If you tend to go heavy on the cream, use more.
Just keep in mind it’s high in fat. So if you’re used to half-n-half, start sparingly, and you can always add more from there.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CREAM FOR COFFEE?
In the dairy world, many different things are either called cream or contain cream.
For instance, many people enjoy coffee creamers, but most of these don’t actually contain cream. Others want whipped cream, which isn’t pure dairy. And half-n-half? What’s that all about?
I’ll walk you through each to clear up the confusion.
HEAVY CREAM
First things first, heavy cream. I already mentioned it has high-fat content. Specifically, heavy cream is about 36 to 40 percent milkfat, and what you get in the store tends to be on the lower end of the scale.
WHIPPING CREAM
Whipping cream is the next best thing to heavy cream. It has a fat content of around 30 percent, and this is the stuff that’s commonly used to make whipped cream.
Due to the fat content, it will be lighter than if you made whipped cream with heavy cream. It also will lose body quicker.
DOUBLE CREAM
Double cream is like heavy cream’s denser older brother. Double cream is a British term for a cream that is around 48 percent milk fat. It’s wonderful when added to savory dishes and is often used to decorate desserts.
LIGHT CREAM
Light cream has a fat content right around 20 percent. It’s great in coffee but not so great for making whipped cream. It won’t thicken when you try to whip it, so leave it to things like doctoring up coffee or soup.
HALF-N-HALF
Half-n-half is half milk and half cream, and it’s richer than whole milk but nowhere near as rich as heavy cream. As for fat content, it will range from about 10.5 to 18 percent.
You’re no doubt already familiar with half-n-half because this tends to be the prime choice for sprucing up coffee. This is what most people are referring to when talking about “cream” in coffee.
CREME FRAICHE
Creme fraiche is French for “fresh cream”. It’s a thick cultured cream that has a hint of sourness. It’s unpasteurized and doesn’t curdle when heated like sour cream. That means it’s a great addition to coffee. It’s also a popular ingredient in soups and desserts.
COFFEE CREAMER
Coffee creamer is a whole variety of things. It comes as a powder or a liquid. It is offered in an endless array of flavors: hazelnut, vanilla, caramel, and pumpkin, to name a few.
It’s specifically made for coffee. However, it’s not exactly cream, and many creamers are touted as being non-dairy. Coffee creamer can be made with a wide range of ingredients, including high fructose corn syrup to monk fruit.
WHAT ABOUT WHIPPED CREAM?
Whipped cream is a whole other beast. This can be made with heavy cream, whipping cream, or even coconut cream.
However, don’t confuse this with whipped topping! That stuff sold in the frozen aisle of the grocery store is usually made with a non-dairy substitute.
What makes whipped cream, well, whipped, is the process. A version of cream is whipped until soft, fluffy peaks form. It’s typically sweet with confectioner’s sugar and popularly flavored with vanilla extract.
Thanks to coffee shops and coffee chains, it’s become a popular addition to coffee. Mochas, blended coffees, you name it, and you can get it with whipped cream on it.
Because it has cream and sugar, you could use it to replace your standard coffee cream and sugar. However, it will taste a little different, and you’ll have to figure out the ratios to get it just right.
IS HEAVY CREAM HEALTHY?
The answer to this question depends on who you’re talking to. Let’s look at the nutritional facts.
According to MyFitnessPal, one tablespoon of heavy cream has:
- 50 calories
- 6 grams of fat
- 3 grams of saturated fat
- 0 grams of carbohydrates
- 0 grams of protein
- 15 mg of potassium
- 20 mg of cholesterol
- 5 mg of sodium
If you’re on a keto diet, this is a good thing. If you’re on a low-cholesterol diet, this may not be such a good thing.
Same for a low-calorie diet. While 50 calories may not sound like much, that’s for one tablespoon. Day after day, those calories will add up, especially if you use more than one serving.
No matter your diet, if you lap up too much, you can guarantee your waistline will pay. When in doubt, consult your doctor and consume in moderation. If you get the green light, a little bit of heavy cream in your coffee is well worth the extra jumping jacks.
IS HEAVY CREAM KETO FRIENDLY?
If you’re on the keto diet, you’ll be happy to hear that heavy cream is keto-friendly. Heavy cream is high in fat and low in carbs, and it can be a great addition to a keto breakfast coffee. You can also use it in soups and sauces if you like.
The thing to keep in mind is that heavy cream is high in calories. So if you’re also counting calories, you’ll want to use heavy cream sparingly.
WHAT COFFEE BEVERAGES USE HEAVY CREAM?
We’ve already established that you can add a splash of heavy cream into your drip coffee. But did you know certain specialty coffee drinks require it?
Here are a few cream-a-licious coffee drinks for you to try:
- Breve – latte made with heavy cream
- Keto Coffee – coffee, coconut oil, heavy cream, butter
- Espresso Creme – shot of espresso with heavy cream
- Cafe Noisette – a French version of an espresso shot with cream
- Irish Coffee – Irish whiskey, drip coffee, sugar, heavy cream
Of course, the options don’t end here! Blended iced coffees and your favorite specialty coffee of choice can all be made with heavy cream.
Next time you have a craving for a creamy caffeinated, pick me up, try using heavy cream. The results may surprise you.
CONCLUSION
Not only can you put heavy cream in coffee, but you should. Heavy cream will cut through the bitterness and add a silky smooth texture. It imparts a rich, luxuriously creamy taste in drip coffee, espresso, and specialty coffee alike. However, keep in mind heavy cream is high in calories. So it’s best to consume this decadent treat in moderation.
