A cup of coffee in the morning has become a routine activity for most. No one can deny the value of a morning cup, it boosts the body for the whole day. Some prefer to brew coffee without adding flavors, while others favor adding milk. However, a few opt for heavy cream in coffee, which adds thickness and creaminess. Also, heavy cream in coffee has multiple nutritional values.
However, it is not recommended to use it consistently. You can use it occasionally in your cup. Also, this combination reduces the bitterness of coffee and gives a creamy and sweet taste.
When compared to regular cream, the heavy cream is thicker and denser. According to the US Food and Drug Association, heavy cream contains 36% milk fat. Also, it is pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized.
However, regular use of heavy cream in coffee may lead to health complications. It is essential to use it in balance to avoid any health implications.
If you are worrying about calorie content, it is better to use it occasionally or completely avoid it. In that case, you can consider nonfat milk, milk with fewer calories and low in fat.
Also, don’t forget to try condensed milk coffee.
In this article, I will explain everything about this combination and how it can change the taste of your coffee.
Heavy cream vs. heavy whipping cream
It is generally believed that there is no difference between whipping and heavy cream. Here, there is a tiny difference between them.
A heavy cream has 36% fat, and whipping cream has around 30%. However, the difference is so delicate that usually people consider it the same and use them interchangeably.
Can we use heavy cream in coffee?
Yes, you can add heavy cream to the coffee. If you get bored with low-fat milk, try the heavy cream in your coffee. It’s worth a change.
Renowned coffee drinks like mochas and Frappuccino use heavy whipped cream to make a sweeter and creamier coffee.
However, due to its thickness and density, it doesn’t mix well in coffee.
Heavy or whipping cream makes an entirely different texture; it usually floats on the top.
How does it taste in coffee?
Heavy cream doesn’t come with a bold taste. However, it gives coffee a rich, creamier, and mouthful flavor. It also adds a slightly sweeter, milder taste to your coffee.
It makes an excellent creamy taste if you don’t care about high fat and calories.

How much heavy cream should I add to coffee?
It is often used in iced coffees and added to hot coffee to make it rich and creamy.
Add one or two tablespoons of heavy cream to an 8-ounce cup of your favorite coffee. However, you can add more cream if you like; it depends on how creamy and smooth you want it.
Whipped cream tastes slightly sweeter. It is also available in a sugar-free version.
It is essential to note that whipped cream doesn’t change the taste of coffee; it only adds creaminess. So you can enjoy both flavors in one drink.
How to add heavy cream to coffee?
Heavy cream doesn’t mix with coffee like milk. You can add whipped cream to coffee in two ways. First a make cup of brewed coffee or espresso and add two tablespoons of heavy at the top. Also, brew an espresso shot and pour it to the cup of thick cream.
I usually prepare an espresso shot and top it with heavy whipped cream. You can make add it keeping in mind your preference.
Which flavors add heavy cream?
You can add heavy cream to any coffee you like; there are no particular restrictions.
Some people prefer espresso-based drinks; otherwise, it adds to regular coffee and iced coffee.
Espresso is used as a base coffee for different flavors. It has a strong bitter taste. When you add heavy cream to espresso, it slightly dilutes its bitterness and increases its creaminess.
I always prefer espresso coffee when making a heavy cream drink. You can also try it with espresso shot.
- Frappe coffee
It is also prepared with heavy cream, coffee and iced cubes. A delicious flavor that can be made with espresso instead instant coffee.
This flavor adds heavy cream to the glass of instant coffee and iced cubes. A refreshing cold coffee with thick creaminess.
- Brewed coffee
Simply adding heavy cream to black coffee is purest combination of the delightful taste of coffee and creaminess. It makes an entirely different texture and taste. the
The blend of thick cream and brewed coffee reflects the true taste of coffee and cream.
- Starbucks Frappuccino
This one is the Starbucks’ trademark drink. Frappuccino comes with heavy whipped cream. It emerges as the finest and unique taste of Starbucks.
Is heavy cream better than milk?
I don’t think nothing can compete with milk. It changes the taste and texture of coffee with numerous health benefits.
Heavy cream doesn’t change the real taste of coffee. Also, it comes with a high level of calories and fat.

So if you don’t want high calories, milk will be a better option.
calories
A tablespoon of heavy cream contains 50 calories. And we add two tablespoons to coffee, which comprises 100 calories per serving.
Heavy cream also adds fats to the body.
Health implication of heavy cream in coffee
Almost half of the calories in heavy cream come from fat. As I mentioned earlier, heavy cream also contains a lot of calories.
Daily use of heavy whipped cream in coffee isn’t recommended. If you consistently add heavy cream, it may have health implications.
Using heavy cream occasionally may not have any negative issues on the body. Also, add a smaller amount of cream to your coffee.
I suggest you add one dollop of heavy cream or whipped cream to the coffee. And gradually add more cream if you desire to get creamier coffee.
More options
There are some other options that you can try if you wish to try something new and less creamy. However, all milk options are high in calories.
Half and half
It is made with half cream and half milk. It is lighter than heavy cream. Also, in comparison, it contains fewer fats and calories.
Breve a delightful reach creamy flavor is prepared with half & half and robust espresso shot.
Non-dairy products
An excellent choice for those desire to avoid regular milk.
Non-dairy products naturally have low fat and sugar, a great choice to avoid high calories. However, it gives you almost the same aroma, taste, and texture that we usually expect from regular milk and cream.
Non-dairy products include coconut, almond, soy, and cashew milk. You can pick anyone to add to your espresso shot.
All these milk options are much healthier and still give you almost the same taste and aroma. However, it may not have a similar thick creaminess.
Milk
Instead of thick cream, brew with regular milk. Nothing can match the taste of milk, also it adds fewer calories and fat. Milk has also multiple nutricious values.
Even to get fewer calories, it has the option of adding nonfat or skim milk.
Do you need steamed milk for an iced latte?
Final thoughts
A great combination is heavy cream with coffee. However, espresso enthusiast also adds it without any hesitation. The only worry is that it gets you high in calories.
Advisably use it less frequently to avoid high calories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What happens if we put heavy cream in espresso?
It dilutes the strong bitter taste of espresso and adds a slight sweetness and creaminess.
- Does Starbucks use heavy cream?
Starbucks always uses heavy cream. It also has half-and-half, but you can get heavy whipped cream if you order. Frappuccino adds brewed coffee with heavy cream
- Can I put cream in coffee instead of milk?
Yes, you can only add heavy cream to coffee. You don’t need to put milk in coffee.
- Is heavy cream 100% fat?
No, heavy cream consists of only around 36% fat.