Cream cheese

Description

Cream cheese is a soft, thick, easily spreadable cheese with a creamy consistency, light cream color, and a mildly tangy-sweet, gentle flavor with a subtle hint of cream. It comes in full-fat and low-fat varieties, and commercial versions may be flavored with herbs or other flavorings. It is a source of fat, protein, calcium, and vitamin A, providing energy and supporting a feeling of fullness, although due to its saturated fat and salt content, it should be consumed in moderation. In the kitchen, it works well as a spread for bread, a base for dips, an ingredient in cheesecakes, creams, fillings, and sauces, as well as an addition to savory tarts and sandwiches with smoked salmon or herbs. It should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2–4°C, in its original packaging or an airtight container, consumed within about 7–14 days of opening, and not frozen to maintain its texture.