Half and half is a dairy product made from equal parts of milk and cream. It is used in coffee and ice cream production, but cannot replace cream for whipping. It can be made at home and should be used quickly. It can be stored for up to 10 days in the refrigerator.
The term “half and half” is used to describe a number of foods that combine equal parts of two things. In the United States, it typically refers specifically to a dairy product made from milk and cream. The term can also be used to discuss various alcoholic beverages, such as a Black and Tan, a layered beer traditionally made by mixing Guinness Stout and Harp Lager. As a pre-mixed food, half-and-half is available at many grocery stores and can even be made at home in a pinch.
Unlike milk, half-and-half aren’t really meant for normal consumption. Adding cream increases the milk fat content in the milk, making it thick and heavy. As anyone who has tried drinking knows, the combination is pretty unpleasant on its own. Also, half-and-half cannot replace cream, as the fat content of butter is too low to be whipped into butter or stiff cream products.
There are a number of potential applications for half-and-half. Many Americans use it as a crema in their coffees, and a number of companies produce a range of flavored products for just this purpose. It is stable in coffee and imparts a rich creaminess that milk alone cannot. The dairy product is also used in the production of ice cream, and some recipes specifically call for it when a creamy flavor and texture is desired without the high fat content of real cream.
The fat content of half-and-half butter varies by manufacturer. It is generally more than 10%, but it shouldn’t be more than 18%. In a commercial dairy, it is made by pasteurizing milk and cream separately and then homogenizing equal parts together. Homogenization ensures that half and half do not separate. At home, the mixture can be made by combining equal parts cream and milk and should be used quickly, before it starts to separate.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, refrigerated halves and halves can keep up to 10 days refrigerated. Individual refrigerator temperature fluctuations can have an impact on this storage time, so it is advisable to smell for spoilage, especially if it is approaching its expiration date. People should also try to avoid introducing bacteria into dairy products by always keeping them refrigerated and never pouring the dairy products back into the carton they came from.
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