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Buttermilk vs. Heavy Cream: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 14, 2024
Buttermilk is a tangy, low-fat dairy product from fermented milk, while heavy cream is a high-fat dairy product used for its richness and creaminess.
Buttermilk vs. Heavy Cream

Key Differences

Buttermilk is traditionally the liquid left after churning butter, now often made by fermenting milk with cultures. It's known for its tangy flavor and lower fat content. Heavy cream, on the other hand, is the high-fat portion skimmed from the top of raw milk before homogenization, used for its high-fat content and rich texture.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
In culinary uses, buttermilk is prized for its ability to tenderize and add moisture in baking, and for its distinct tangy flavor in dressings and marinades. Heavy cream is valued for its ability to whip into peaks and add richness to sauces, soups, and desserts.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Nutritionally, buttermilk is lower in fat and calories compared to heavy cream. It's also often cultured, which can offer probiotic benefits. Heavy cream is calorie-dense, high in fat, and provides a rich source of vitamins A and D.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
The texture of buttermilk is thinner and more liquid than heavy cream. This property makes it suitable for tenderizing baked goods. Heavy cream's thick and rich consistency makes it ideal for creating a smooth, velvety texture in recipes.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Both buttermilk and heavy cream have distinct roles in cooking and cannot always be used interchangeably due to their differences in fat content, flavor, and texture. Their unique properties make each suited to specific types of recipes.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
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Comparison Chart

Primary Use

Baking, marinating, dressings
Whipping, enriching sauces, desserts
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Feb 14, 2024

Fat Content

Low
High
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Feb 14, 2024

Flavor

Tangy, slightly acidic
Rich, creamy
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Feb 14, 2024

Texture

Thin and liquid
Thick and rich
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Nutritional Characteristics

Lower in calories, probiotic benefits
Calorie-dense, high in vitamins A and D
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Buttermilk and Heavy Cream Definitions

Buttermilk

A fermented dairy product with a tangy flavor.
Buttermilk pancakes have a distinct tang and are extra fluffy.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Heavy Cream

A high-fat dairy product used for richness.
Heavy cream is essential for making creamy alfredo sauce.
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Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

The liquid left after churning butter.
Traditional buttermilk was a byproduct of making butter.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Heavy Cream

Skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization.
Heavy cream is the richest part of milk.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

Contains probiotics due to fermentation.
Buttermilk is not only tasty but also good for gut health.
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Heavy Cream

High in calories and fat.
Heavy cream is indulgent but should be used sparingly due to its high calorie content.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

Low in fat and often used in baking.
Using buttermilk in cakes results in a moist texture.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Heavy Cream

Used for its ability to whip into peaks.
Whipped heavy cream is perfect for topping desserts.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

Adds acidity to marinades.
Buttermilk in the marinade tenderizes the chicken.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Heavy Cream

Adds a velvety texture to recipes.
Adding heavy cream makes the soup luxuriously smooth.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

The liquid, usually either naturally soured or cultured with acid-producing bacteria, that remains after the butterfat has been removed from cream by churning.
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Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

A sour milk made by culturing usually skim milk with acid-producing bacteria.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

The liquid left over after producing butter from full cream milk by the churning process, also called traditional buttermilk.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

Cultured buttermilk, a fermented dairy product produced from cow's milk, with a characteristically sour taste.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

The milk that remains after the butter is separated from the cream.
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Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024

Buttermilk

Residue from making butter from sour raw milk; or pasteurized milk curdled by adding a culture
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Jan 20, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is buttermilk good for baking?

Yes, it's great for tenderizing and adding moisture to baked goods.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Can heavy cream be whipped?

Yes, it's ideal for whipping due to its high-fat content.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

What is buttermilk?

A fermented dairy product with a tangy flavor, traditionally a byproduct of butter-making.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Can I substitute buttermilk for heavy cream?

Not directly, as their fat content and textures are different.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Does buttermilk contain probiotics?

Yes, cultured buttermilk contains probiotics.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

What is heavy cream?

A high-fat dairy product from the top layer of milk, used for its richness.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

What dishes use heavy cream?

Sauces, soups, desserts, and whipped toppings commonly use heavy cream.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Is heavy cream good for a low-fat diet?

No, it's high in fat and not ideal for low-fat diets.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Can I make buttermilk at home?

Yes, by adding acid like lemon juice or vinegar to milk.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Can heavy cream be used in coffee?

Yes, it adds richness and creaminess to coffee.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Does heavy cream thicken when cooked?

Yes, it thickens and adds richness to dishes when cooked.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Is buttermilk high in fat?

No, it's lower in fat compared to heavy cream.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Is heavy cream the same as whipping cream?

Not exactly, heavy cream has a higher fat content than whipping cream.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

What's the calorie count of heavy cream?

It's calorie-dense, with about 50 calories per tablespoon.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Is buttermilk acidic?

Yes, it's slightly acidic, which is great for tenderizing in cooking.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Is buttermilk used in dressings?

Yes, its tangy flavor is great in dressings and dips.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

What's the shelf life of buttermilk?

Typically 1-2 weeks when refrigerated.
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Feb 14, 2024

Does buttermilk have lactose?

Yes, but in lower amounts than regular milk.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Can buttermilk be used for frying?

Yes, it's great for marinating and coating foods for frying.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

Can I freeze heavy cream?

Yes, though it may change texture upon thawing.
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Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024

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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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