Double Cream

About

Double cream is the name in Britain for a very rich cream — containing 48%% butterfat.

Information

Other names: Extra-Heavy Cream

Physical Description

Double Cream contains a minimum fat content of 48%. It is produced by centrifugal force to separate the butterfat from the milk. Double Cream may be slightly homogenised under low pressure to give a little extra body

Colors: white

Tasting Notes

Mouthfeel: Very rich and creamy, At times a bit oily.

Food complements: Desserts, Puddings

Wine complements: Vin santo, Muscato, Champagne, Sparkling, Ice wine, Or dessert wine

Beverage complements: Cognac or brandy

Substitutes: Heavy or whipping cream (choose highest butterfat you can find)

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Peak: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Buying: In the US, you may need to seek double cream at an actual dairy or high end specialty food store as most major chains and markets offer heavy cream which can be as much as 25% less butterfat than a true double cream. Double Cream will have about 48% butterfat.

Preparation and Use

Double Cream can not only be whipped, it will whip up firmer than whipping cream, which is why fancy cake makers will prefer it to whipping cream. If you want it less firm but to have more volume, add a tablespoon of milk or an egg white per 5 oz (2/3 cup / 150ml) before whipping (this lowers the butterfat content a bit, making it a bit less dense, allowing more air in and thus more volume.) Don't overwhip, though, or it will take on a grainy appearance, and if you kept on overwhipping, you'd practically end up with butter.
Double cream is generally considered for use in chilled desserts such as puddings or as a topping itself, separation can occur with heating or used with acidic foods.

Cleaning: n/a

Conserving and Storing

Can be frozen for up to two months, but when thawed, use for cooking rather than as a topping

Social/Political

In the United Kingdom you will find that the butterfat content is legally defined at 48%, whereas the US does not regulate use of terms such as "heavy" or "light" cream. Canada and Australia follow similar form to the US, with the exception that "light" will mean low fat in Canada. These countries can vary, by producer, a range of about 10%.