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coffee cream
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
n. — British Columbia & Quebec, Food & Drink
a blend of milk and cream usually with 18 percent milk fat content.
Type: 5. Frequency — In nine out of Canada's 13 provinces and territories, coffee cream is the most popular term for cream with this milk fat content (see Chart 2). The term is most frequently used in Quebec and British Columbia (see Chart 1), which stand out in the Canadian context for a number of variables. As coffee cream is also commonly used internationally (see Chart 3), the term is only Canadian in the sense that it is a Canadian regionalism in Quebec and BC. In BC, it might be a reflection of (older) British use, while in Quebec its use is possibly influenced by the Quebec French (and French French) term "crème à café". This influence from French similarly appears to account for the higher frequency of "sofa" in Quebec as compared to "couch" in the rest of Canada (Dollinger 2015b: 292-3).
Canadian packaging regulations require the percentage of milk fat to be prominently displayed beside whatever name is given on the package. Thus, confusion about whether coffee cream refers to a specific type of cream with a particular milk fat content or simply means "the cream I put in my coffee" can be easily enough resolved.
See also COD-2, s.v. "coffee cream", which is marked "Cdn", a designation that does not appear to hold at the national level.
Canadian packaging regulations require the percentage of milk fat to be prominently displayed beside whatever name is given on the package. Thus, confusion about whether coffee cream refers to a specific type of cream with a particular milk fat content or simply means "the cream I put in my coffee" can be easily enough resolved.
See also COD-2, s.v. "coffee cream", which is marked "Cdn", a designation that does not appear to hold at the national level.
Quotations
1921
A reduction of 20 cents from 25 cents for a half pint of coffee cream, and 30 cents from 50 cents for apint of whipping cream was announced today by a leading dairy in Windsor. Milk prices are unchanged.
1938
The author says that before Modern Coffee Creams were invented it was usual to use condensed milk. Nowadays it is usual to use a special kind of milk called by various trade names such as Creamo, Coffee Cream or Cereal Cream.
1949
Add the sugar gradually and continue beating until this is all added. Add the milk, coffee cream, syrup and lemon juice.
1968
"After all, it is in their interests to promote dairy products, and if they stop us selling they will be giving more opportunity to companies making synthetic, non-dairy products, such as powdered coffee cream and the like."
2013
Micro-filtered milk is processed according to a microfiltration process that eliminates bacteria, making it possible to pasteurize milk at a lower temperature. This process produces a creamier milk with a longer shelf life than traditional milk, anywhere from 10 days to several weeks.
This is typically seen here in one-litre or smaller cartons of cereal cream, coffee cream and baking related milk products, said Christie.
References
- COD-2
- Dollinger (2015b)
Images
Chart 1: Regional Domain Search, 16 Jan. 2014
Chart 2: Distribution by Province, 16 Jan. 2014
