double cream
C1informal, culinary
Definition
Meaning
A thick cream with a high fat content, used in cooking and as a topping.
In the UK, cream with a minimum fat content of 48%. Can also metaphorically refer to something exceptionally rich, smooth, or elite.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable mass noun (e.g., 'a carton of double cream'). Its use outside culinary contexts is metaphorical and less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'double cream' is standard in UK English. In US English, the closest equivalent is 'heavy cream' or 'heavy whipping cream', though the fat content differs slightly.
Connotations
Connotes richness and indulgence in both varieties. In the UK, it's a standard culinary item; in the US, the term might sound British or specialized.
Frequency
High frequency in UK culinary contexts; low frequency in US English, where it might be seen on imported products or in British recipe books.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + double cream (e.g., whip the double cream)[adjective] + double cream (e.g., chilled double cream)double cream + [verb] (e.g., double cream thickens)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the cream of the crop (conceptually related, but not directly using 'double cream')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in the food retail or dairy industry.
Academic
Rarely used outside of food science or nutritional studies.
Everyday
Common in UK domestic contexts for recipes, shopping, and dining.
Technical
Used in dairy classification and culinary arts with specific fat percentage definitions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- For a richer sauce, use a double-cream base.
- It's a classic double-cream recipe.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like strawberries with double cream.
- The recipe says you need 200ml of double cream.
- Whisk the double cream until it forms soft peaks for the dessert.
- The chef opted for double cream to achieve the requisite unctuous texture in the velouté.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'DOUBLE the richness' – double cream has nearly double the fat of 'single cream'.
Conceptual Metaphor
RICHNESS IS DEPTH/QUANTITY (e.g., 'a double helping of good fortune').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like *'двойные сливки'*. The correct Russian term is 'сливки для взбивания' (whipping cream) or 'густые сливки'. 'Сметана' is sour cream, a different product.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'double cream' in the US expecting it to be a common supermarket item. Confusing it with 'clotted cream' (a different, even thicker UK product).
Practice
Quiz
What is the closest US equivalent to UK 'double cream'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not for whipping. Single cream has a lower fat content and will not hold peaks when whipped.
No. Clotted cream is even thicker, with a higher fat content (about 55%), and is made by a slow heating process, giving it a distinct crust and flavour.
In the UK, it must contain a minimum of 48% milk fat.
Historically, it referred to cream that was rich enough to be diluted ('single' cream) or used as-is ('double'). It's now a legal standard based on fat content.