Cream, fluid, light (coffee cream or table cream)
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Light cream, also known as coffee cream or table cream, is a pourable dairy product with a silky, smooth texture and a rich, subtly sweet flavor. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of energy, with nearly 20 grams of fat per 100 grams, providing a luxurious mouthfeel to dishes and drinks.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 7% carbs · 87% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its velvety texture that transforms coffee and tea, and its ability to add a touch of indulgent richness to both sweet and savory dishes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high fat and calorie content can be a concern for those monitoring intake. For individuals sensitive to lactose or dairy proteins, it may cause digestive issues. To enjoy it mindfully, use a measured pour (like a tablespoon) as a flavor enhancer rather than a base, and consider pairing it with high-fiber foods to promote satiety.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, dense source of energy from fat.
- Enhances the texture and richness of beverages and sauces.
- A good source of fat-soluble vitamins like A and D.
- Adds a creamy, palatable quality to foods without added sugar.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The difference between 'light cream,' 'half-and-half,' and 'heavy cream' is precisely regulated by the U.S. FDA, based on minimum milkfat percentages (18-30%, 10.5-18%, and 36%+ respectively).
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 73.8 g |
| Energy | 195 kcal |
| Energy | 815 kj |
| Protein | 3.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.1 g |
| Ash | 0.61 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 3.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 3.7 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 91.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.05 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 9.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 92.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 136 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 72.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.32 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 4.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.80 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 0.09 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.44 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 2.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 2.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 2.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 17.4 mg |
| Betaine | 0.70 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.14 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 120 ug |
| Retinol | 117 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 37.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 452 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 44.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 10.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.39 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.31 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.19 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.46 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.53 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.7 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.7 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.5 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.17 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.33 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.28 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.0 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 3.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.79 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.65 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.43 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.63 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.50 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.05 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.44 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.13 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.13 g |
| Cholesterol | 59.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.13 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.15 g |
| Leucine | 0.24 g |
| Lysine | 0.13 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.14 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.18 g |
| Arginine | 0.07 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.09 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.22 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.59 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.31 g |
| Serine | 0.10 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between light cream and half-and-half?
Light cream (or coffee cream) typically has a milkfat content of 18-30%, while half-and-half is lighter, containing 10.5-18% milkfat. Light cream is richer and will make coffee more decadent.
Can I use light cream for whipping?
No. Light cream does not have enough fat to hold a stable whipped structure. For whipped cream, you need heavy cream (whipping cream) with at least 36% milkfat.
Is light cream the same as 'light' or low-fat milk?
No, not at all. 'Light' in the context of cream refers to a lower fat content *compared to heavy cream*, but it is still a high-fat product. 'Light' or low-fat milk is a completely different product with much less fat.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.95 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 3.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.53 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.