Coffee was grown in early times in Ethiopia and Arabia, whereas the coffee trade started in the Arabian peninsula around the 1600s.
By the 1800s, the coffee trade brought delicacy to European countries. Can you use clotted cream in coffee?
Unfortunately, clotted cream does not go well with a cup of coffee. Because of its overly creamy consistency, it can negatively influence the overall texture and flavor of your cup of Joe.
Instead, stick to your favorite liquid or non-dairy coffee creamer for the best results. These options are thinner and do not compromise the coffee’s flavor or texture.
We will highlight how to make clotted cream, its cooking applications, and alternatives to making your coffee creamy without it.
While this overly creamy product is not the best for coffee, there are other ways to give your cup of Joe just the smooth consistency and taste you desire.
What Is Clotted Cream?
Clotted cream is a delicacy in England and British nations that are much like butter in the United States because of its thick nature.
In cookbooks from long ago, clotted cream was also referenced as scalded or thickened cream.
Make clotted cream at home by putting a bowl of heavy cream into a steam bath.
If you do not have heavy cream, mix a quarter cup of melted butter with three-quarters cup of milk as a viable substitute.
As the steam works into the heavy cream, the cream comes to the top of the liquid to turn into a luscious, creamy solid.
The heavy cream’s liquid will evaporate, leaving the solid cream behind.
The History of Clotted Cream
Clotted cream has been around for more than two centuries.
Phoenician settlers brought the clotted cream recipe when they came to England. Devonshire cream originated from Devon, United Kingdom.
When placing clotted cream and jam on scones, Devon-born natives put the cream on the confection first and then top it with jam.
Cornish-born people from Cornwall, United Kingdom, prefer to place jam first on a scone and then top it with clotted cream.
How Is Clotted Cream Used?
Britain-born individuals love to use clotted cream to add flavor to muffins.
Plus, you can combine it with jam on biscuits or scones for a fruity and creamy treat. Enjoy with a cream tea that includes clotted cream for a luscious complement.
In any baking recipe that requires heavy cream or whipped cream, you can use clotted cream instead if that is the only thing you have on hand.
Whip it to the consistency you need, but try not to over-whip it as it can become too thick of a buttery-like consistency.
Clotted cream can be added to a creamy soup such as chicken corn chowder, cheddar ham, or cauliflower soup to enhance its smooth consistency.
Add clotted cream to the top of pancakes or waffles for a creamy bite during breakfast.
Alternatives to Clotted Cream To Use in Coffee
As mentioned earlier, while you can use liquid coffee cream and non-dairy creamer, there are other alternatives that you can include in your cup of coffee rather than clotted cream.
Did you run out of creamer in your fridge or pantry? Splash some of your favorite kinds of milk into your coffee.
Whether you like dairy milk or plant-based milk, both options are thin yet creamy enough to add flavor to your coffee without compromising texture or flavor like adding clotted cream.
Plant-based milk like almond, coconut, or soy milk can give your coffee a particular note of nuttiness to complement the flavor.
Analyzing Milk Fat Percentages of Coffee Cream Alternatives
Heavy cream has about 36% milk fat, while a half-and-half has as low as 10.5% milk fat and as much as 18%.
Light or coffee cream ranges between a fat milk range of 18% to 30%.
Alternatively, the milk fat in clotted cream is about 55%.
Hence, if clotted cream ruins the coffee’s flavor and feel on your tastebuds, you should not use a coffee cream alternative higher than 36% (heavy cream).
The abundance of creaminess interacts negatively with the base brew and changes the consistency and chemical makeup.
Too much milk fat in your choice of coffee cream will overpower the taste of the coffee because the creaminess will create a film on your tongue that prevents you from adequately tasting the java in the coffee beverage.
FAQs:
Can you use clotted cream in coffee? Even though clotted cream is too fattening and alters flavor and texture, you learned about the alternatives you can use for your coffee.
Here are some answers to your frequently asked questions about clotted cream.
Is clotted cream sold in the United States?
Yes, you can find a six-ounce glass jar of English Luxury brand clotted cream from the Devon Cream Company at your local Whole Foods Market.
What is clotted cream’s shelf life?
Depending on the brand of clotted cream or if you did it homemade, its shelf life ranges between three to 10 days.
For example, the clotted cream from Whole Foods Market states not to consume the product after five days have passed since you opened the jar.
What does clotted cream taste like?
Clotted cream tastes almost like a premium brand of unsalted American butter.
It’s high milkfat complements bread and fruit hence why the English love it on scones and biscuits.
Final Thoughts
Can you use clotted cream in coffee? While you cannot use clotted cream in coffee because of its overly high milk fat of 55%, you can use alternatives with a lower milk fat percentage.
The highest milk fat percentage best for creamer in coffee is 36%, adding heavy cream.
If you don’t want your coffee to be creamy, add non-dairy or coffee creamer. Don’t make the mistake of adding to your coffee not to ruin the cup.