Sour cream is a fermented milk product made from sourdough and cream. It got its name from the original method of production at home. First, the settled milk (the top layer) was poured off, and then, with a spoon or a whisk, the layer that was under the cream was swept (collected). This is exactly what sour cream is – a delicious, highly nutritious product.
By the method of production, the following types of sour cream are distinguished .:
- smooth – this is the top layer removed from sour milk;
- separator – for its manufacture, a special apparatus is used that allows ordinary milk to be divided into skim milk and cream; the cream is subsequently cooled, pasteurized, sourdough is added to it and after a while the sour cream is ready.
In addition, depending on the percentage of fat, this product can also be divided into several types: 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 36%, 40%. And the higher the fat content, the more calorie content.
Natural sour cream is traditionally made from a special sourdough and pasteurized cream. In the process of fermentation and maturation of this product, it is possible to obtain substances that the body absorbs better than from ordinary milk. The composition of sour cream contains high-grade milk protein, easily digestible fats, amino acids necessary for the body, milk sugar. It contains many vitamins (A, groups B, C, E, PP) and trace elements (iron, phosphorus, calcium, etc.).
The lactic acid fermentation process provides a probiotic effect, since the microorganisms present in it contribute to the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora and its development, and also affect the bacteria that provoke putrefaction.
It is helpful for people with digestive problems and poor appetite to include sour cream in their diet, as it is very nutritious. It is also used in special nutrition for anemia and malnutrition. farmer-online.com.
This product has a beneficial effect on muscle function and also stimulates mental activity. However, it must be consumed in the first half of the day so as not to overload the liver and not provoke an exacerbation in the presence of pathology of this organ.
Regular consumption of this fermented milk product helps to improve memory. 100 g contains 25% of the daily value of choline – a substance that stimulates the brain, increases intellectual abilities, sharpens memory. Choline has a beneficial effect on the development of the fetal brain, so this product is especially useful for pregnant women.
Women who consume sour cream on a daily basis go through menopause later. .… This is because it contains copper, which is involved in the production of female sex hormones.
The table below shows the composition of low fat sour cream as reported by the USDA Nutrient Database. ..
How to choose
Sour cream of the highest grade should not contain foreign tastes and odors, grains of fat and protein. A quality product should be homogeneous and thick, with a glossy surface. A first class product may have a less thick consistency, slight fodder tastes and a slightly sour taste.
Sour cream made in accordance with GOST may contain only cream and a special leaven ., and only in this case the manufacturer has the right to write “Sour cream” on the package. If the product contains any additives (emulsifiers or stabilizers), another name will be indicated, for example, “sour cream product” or “Sour cream”.
The evidence of the quality of sour cream is its storage temperature and shelf life. The more various additives in the product, the higher the storage temperature will be (within the range of up to +20 ° C) and the longer the shelf life (14–30 days). Natural sour cream stays fresh in a sealed package for 5-7 days, and in an unsealed but sealed container – up to 72 hours. In this case, the storage temperature should be within the range from +2 to +6 ° С.
We check the quality of the product
To find out what is in the package – sour cream or sour cream, you can use several methods:
- Add a drop of iodine to a spoonful of sour cream. If the product does not contain herbal additives, its color will hardly change or will become more yellow. In the presence of third-party components, for example, starch, which is added to give a thicker consistency, the sour cream will turn blue.
- Apply sour cream on a piece of glass in an even thin layer, wait until it dries. A product is considered to be of good quality if an even layer forms, which cannot be said if there are streaks.
- Add a spoonful of sour cream to a glass of hot water, stir. If it is of high quality, then it will dissolve completely; otherwise, it will curl up and a sediment will fall to the bottom.
Usage rate
How much sour cream do you need and can eat in order to benefit from it? A reasonable biological norm is considered to be 6,5 kg per year. .… Based on this, it is possible to determine the average consumption rate per day – about 20 g. However, this number is approximate, since many factors affect more accurate indicators: a balanced diet, real energy consumption of the body, body weight, age, gender and others. Therefore, the consumption rate of any product must be calculated individually.
Use in cooking
In cooking, sour cream is used as a separate food or as an ingredient for preparing various dishes. This fermented milk product can be used with fruits, jam, honey, vegetables, added to both main and first courses. On its basis, gravy, mousse, sauces, various pastries, delicious desserts are prepared.
In all spring salads, it is recommended not to put mayonnaise, but sour cream. In addition, when baking any dish in the oven, add this product for more health benefits.
A glass of sour cream with sugar will relieve depression and depression, help relieve the effects of stress. Therefore, if you are nervous and overworked, try this remedy, and the result will surpass all expectations. If desired, sugar can be replaced with honey.
Combination of sour cream with sweets, nuts, milk is not recommended ..
Use in folk medicine and cosmetology
Sour cream is widely used in folk medicine. When consumed with raw carrots, you can improve your eyesight and increase your body’s resistance to various infections. In addition, this fermented milk product is an excellent tool for increasing and maintaining potency in men.
Fatty sour cream will help with sunburn: it helps relieve redness, burning sensation, and soothes the skin. In case of a slight burn, when there are no blisters on the skin yet, it is recommended to apply the following mixture: 2 tbsp. l. mix sour cream with 1 tbsp. l. sunflower oil and egg yolk. Apply a gauze bandage on top, which must be changed once a day.
Since ancient times, sour cream has been used as a cosmetic product that can saturate the skin with beneficial nutrients, soothe it, tighten pores, smooth wrinkles and whiten. It is a component of many creams and face masks for all skin types.
Sour cream does not close the pores, so the skin can breathe. The acids contained in it destroy the protein bond between the dead cells, which are exfoliated, and give the young cells the opportunity to free themselves.
The lactic acid in the product helps to retain moisture, leaving the skin firm and elastic. In addition, sour cream has a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair, and using it while taking a bath makes the skin of the body velvety and soft.
Diet properties
Sour cream is a dietary product that improves digestion and has a beneficial effect on gastric secretory activity. This fermented milk product can be used for stomach ulcers and colitis.
Bowel cleansing
To cleanse the intestines, instead of breakfast, you need to consume 100 g of sour cream with 1 dessert liter for one week. flour. In the second week of cleansing, the amount of flour increases to two tablespoons, and in the third week, to three. In this case, you need to drink at least 2 liters of water daily. During this time, there will be a soft, without disturbing the microflora, cleansing of the intestines from mucus, parasites and fecal stones.
Sour cream diet
In addition to weight loss, a sour cream diet helps to normalize metabolism, removes excess fluid from the body, and also improves the functioning of the digestive system. Its principle is as follows: throughout the day you need to consume 400 g of sour cream 20-30% fat in five doses (80 g each) every three hours. It is better to eat with a small coffee spoon – this way the feeling of fullness will come faster. In between meals, you need to drink rosehip infusion, no more than two glasses per day. With this diet, you can lose up to 3 kg. Its duration is several days, then you need to take a break for a month.
Do not forget about dietary contraindications. It is undesirable to resort to it for people with serious health problems and professional athletes.
If you do not have confidence in the quality of store sour cream, this product can be prepared at home on your own. To do this, you need to take natural cow’s milk. You can wait for it to sour or immediately use the sourdough, which can be already prepared sour cream (preferably thick) or yogurt in a small amount. All contents must be put in a pot and kept until the cream formed on the surface becomes homemade sour cream. It will not be possible to get the product in large quantities, but this will be enough for small household needs.
To get good sour cream, you need to consider the following recommendations:
- you can cook sour cream faster if you heat the cream, but it will be more sour;
- to speed up the process, do not stir the cream – so the quality of homemade sour cream will not be better than store sour cream.
Противопоказания
Sour cream is a rather fatty product. It contains cholesterol, so it should not be abused by patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system and diabetes mellitus, as well as obese people.
With excessive and systematic use of this fermented milk product, the metabolism of fats can be disrupted, as a result of which the load on the gallbladder and liver increases. The risk is increased if sour cream is regularly consumed with bread, potatoes or cereals.
Sour cream is a healthy, tasty and versatile product that allows you to diversify the taste of almost any dish. It is often used to prepare various desserts. In addition, this product is an excellent substitute for mayonnaise, and, if consumed in moderation, does not spoil the figure. Incorporate this ancient Slavic food into your diet and be healthy always!
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