Heavy cream in coffee sounds so indulgent because the cream is comfort food.
However, coffee is also a comfortable beverage, so it makes perfect sense to combine the two.
The only drawback of adding heavy cream to your coffee is that it may be too rich for some people’s palates.
The upside is the heavy cream is a relatively healthy, natural fat, so it can’t do any harm when you use it in moderation.
Discover how heavy cream differs from other creams and the pros and cons of using it in your favorite beverage.
Then, use our tips on preparing your coffee with heavy cream and what taste you can expect from this decadent practice.
What Is Heavy Cream, Actually?
Buying cream from the store seems a simple task.
But, unfortunately, if you’re unaware of the differences between whipping creams, low-fat, high-fat, no-fat, or any other type of cream, you may end up buying the wrong one.
Cream is cream because it comes from a milk cow, but things are not that simple.
The type size on cream products is usually small, often making it challenging to see at a glance what it’s good for.
Even if you see a specification of heavy or whipped cream, many consumers are left wondering what the fuss is about.
The reality of the heavy cream matter is that heavy whipping cream is different from heavy cream.
Heavy cream is also different from standard whipping cream. This difference lies in the fat content of the product, which the U.S. FDA regulates.
You’ll find that both heavy whipping cream and heavy cream have a minimum of 36% milk fat content.
In contrast, whipping cream (or light whipping cream) must contain between 30 and 35% fat.
Will using regular whipping cream in your coffee alter its taste? Definitely.
The lower fat content is less rich, thinner, and less tasty than heavy cream.
Because of the higher fat content in heavy cream, it pours slower, is thicker, has a much richer flavor, and has a better impact on the coffee’s flavor.
Essentially, heavy cream complements the already rich flavor of the bean, whereas whipping cream is like milk with a bit of extra creamy taste. Therefore, if you want a cream that enhances the taste and aroma of your coffee, then heavy cream is a better option.
Even though heavy cream is wonderful in coffee, it is not good to use it daily due to the fat content.
It is much healthier to use regular milk or cream with a lower fat content for cholesterol reasons.
But when heavy cream is such a great flavor enhancer–it may be a temptation that is difficult or impossible to resist at times.
And that’s okay! You’re allowed to spoil yourself occasionally–just don’t overdo it.
Can You Use Heavy Cream In Coffee?
Absolutely, yes! You can use heavy cream in coffee instead of milk.
While many people like their coffee black, others generally use milk to lighten the coffee flavor’s richness (or add to it).
While there are several pros of adding heavy cream or heavy whipping cream to your coffee, there are also several cons.
Ultimately, your health and your palate depend on whether you enjoy the rich, creamy flavor that augments the complex flavor and aroma of your favorite brew.
Pros
- Heavy cream increases the taste of the coffee bean, enabling you to enjoy a fuller, rounder brew.
- Heavy cream in coffee lightens the appearance of this beverage, but it also produces a sweeter flavor. This additional sweetness means you need less sugar in your coffee to balance any bitterness it may have.
- You get to enjoy a slightly higher nutritional value when you add heavy cream to your coffee.
- Heavy whipping cream not only enhances the flavor but also improves the aroma of your favorite beverage.
- The texture of your coffee also changes when you use heavy cream, making for a slightly thicker, creamier beverage.
- Adding heavy cream to your coffee also cuts through the bitter flavor of the bean, especially if you’re using Robusta beans.
- Most lactose-intolerant people can use heavy cream in coffee because it contains a minimal amount of lactose.
Cons
- There are approximately 100 calories per ounce of heavy cream, so you can end up gaining weight if you regularly use heavy cream in your coffee.
- Unless the cream is super fresh, you could end up with those unpleasant oily spots of oil floating on top of your brew. Not only is this oily appearance off-putting, but it can also be sour, which means your brew is completely wasted.
- Some people may not enjoy the rich, buttery flavor of heavy cream–choosing instead to opt for whipping cream. Other people may prefer mixing heavy cream with milk to gain the best flavor from both options.
- The acidity of the coffee can curdle the cream even if it is fresh or tip it over the edge into that unpleasant sour flavor. The trick is to warm a spoon and slowly pour the fresh heavy cream in coffee over the spoon to prevent curdling.
How To Prepare Coffee With Heavy Cream
Preparing coffee with heavy cream is much the same as preparing coffee with milk or half milk and half cream.
Follow these brief instructions to prep your heavy cream in a coffee drink for an extra touch of decadence.
- Step 1: Make the coffee using your usual method.
- Step 2: Use a small saucepan, pour the cream into it, and set the temperature at low heat.
- Step 3: Stir the cream continuously until it begins to froth.
- Step 4: Pour the cream into a coffee mug.
- Step 5: Add coffee and flavor to taste with sugar, stevia, or xylitol, or don’t add any sweetener.
- Step 6: Cut a few slices of cheese, break a few pieces of dark chocolate flavored with orange rinds, or prepare a bowl of almonds to go with your beverage.
If you don’t want the heavy cream in the coffee experience, prepare your coffee and pour cold cream into your coffee using a warm spoon as indicated earlier.
You can even add dark chocolate to the cream while heating to melt before adding the coffee.
Another delicious addition to heavy cream in coffee is to add a sprinkling of cinnamon, allspice, or a touch of ginger powder.
What Does Coffee With a Heavy Cream Taste Like?
An interesting piece of information for coffee lovers is that heavy cream in coffee is known as crème coffee.
This is because when you use whole fat milk to make coffee (no water), then you’re drinking a latte.
Mix your brew with half coffee and half cream, and you have a breve.
Each of these coffee variations has its own distinct flavor, which changes if you use Arabica or Robusta beans.
Light, medium, and dark roasts also influence the taste whether you prepare it with heavy cream in your coffee or not.
Other variables such as the water you use, brown or white sugar, stevia, xylitol, low-fat milk, or light whipping cream also alter the coffee’s flavor and aroma.
Plain coffee creamer will impact the taste of black coffee together with flavored coffee creamers.
So, it stands to reason that heavy cream in coffee will also influence its taste.
But what can you anticipate from the taste of heavy whipping cream in your brew?
If you enjoy rich foods like cream cakes, milkshakes, espresso, cheese, or other similar rich foods, then you’ll enjoy the flavor of adding heavy cream in coffee.
The taste is like what you expect from other dairy products in that it has a higher fat content.
The higher fat content of heavy whipping cream or heavy cream is rich in flavor.
You can literally feel the satiny smooth texture of the cream in your mouth as you swirl the coffee over your taste buds.
Besides augmenting the taste of your coffee, heavy cream produces a slightly denser liquid, which also creates a different drinking experience.
In fact, if you want a dessert to sweeten your day and don’t have one available, heavy cream in coffee makes for an excellent substitute.
As you swirl the coffee throughout your palate and tongue, your tastebuds go into overdrive.
Be attentive if you want to capture the enhancing flavor of heavy cream in the coffee, or you’ll miss important nuances.
These nuances may include a heightened taste of caramel, toffee, butter, chocolate, and rich fruity or nutty flavors.
Conclusion
Adding heavy cream in coffee is a luxury–both from a financial and a weight perspective.
But, when you love the taste, what can you do? It’s rich, indulgent, brings out the flavor and aroma of that coffee cherry, and is an absolute delight on the palate.
Enjoy a little dark chocolate with your brew and get the taste of cocoa, coffee, and cream–all in one delicious cup. Of course, you’re allowed to spoil yourself, but just make sure that you balance those heavy cream days with milk, half-and-half cream, and milk, or even a black brew.
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Last Updated on March 1, 2022 by Ashok Parmar
