Half-and-half is a dairy product made from a simple mixture of equal parts whole milk and cream. This blend provides a creamier consistency than milk alone, but is less thick than heavy cream. Its richness makes it ideal for adding a creamy texture to sauces, soups, and desserts.
Composition Details:
- Whole Milk: Contributes a portion of the liquid base and a small amount of fat.
- Cream: Provides the richness and creaminess, adding a higher fat content than milk.
The exact fat content can vary slightly depending on the brand and manufacturing process but generally falls between the fat content of milk and cream. It's important to note that "fat-free half-and-half" isn't a true half-and-half; it's milk thickened with additives such as corn syrup.
Several sources confirm this composition:
- Allrecipes: States that half-and-half is "a mixture of half whole milk and half cream."
- Food Network: Confirms it's "a mixture of equal parts whole milk and cream."
- David Lebovitz: Explains that half-and-half is "composed of one-half cream and one-half whole milk."
- Savory Simple: Describes it as a "dairy blend" that bridges the richness gap between heavy cream and whole milk.
In the United Kingdom, this product is often known as "half cream".
