Heavy cream is a basic staple that is the backbone of so many meals and desserts. It can be beyond frustrating when it seems impossible to find just pure heavy cream, without carrageenan, gums and other additives. I’ve compiled a list of brands below that sell natural, pure cream in which cream is the only ingredient—nothing else!
Common Additives In Heavy Cream
- Carrageenan: inflames the gut [1]
- Guar and Gellan gums: causes gut inflammation [2]
- Mono and Diglycerides: has trans fat [3]
- Polysorbate 80: hormone disruption and gut irritation [4]
All of these additives listed above are cheap filler ingredients and act as emulsifiers to mask low quality cream. These thickeners and emulsifiers allow the producer to cut corners and instead use these additives to mimic thick, rich cream. They’re not needed in high-quality dairy, or your diet.
Additive-Free, Carrageenan-Free Heavy Cream Brands
*Note: all of the following listed below were carrageenan and additive free at the time of publication. I know sometimes certain producers change and may add these. I know that Whole Foods brand cream at one time had gellan gum, but it doesn’t appear to have any now. Double check before purchase to be sure.
Ronnybrook Farm
This cream is only available in the New York tristate area. It’s a great option if it’s available to you- it even comes in glass bottles.
Trader Joe’s Heavy Whipping Cream
I believe both the organic and non-organic heavy cream from Trader Joe’s is free from additives and carrageenan, but this may change. The shelf stable whipping cream from Trader Joe’s does have carrageenan (and always has), though. These are found in Trader Joe’s stores nationwide.
365 by Whole Foods Market
In the past it seems that this cream had gellan gum, but as of the time of publication, it does not seem to have any additives. Available in Whole Foods Markets nationwide.
Sky Top Farms
Available in Whole Foods in New York and Connecticut area.
Homestead Creamery
This brand is found only in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, at Kroger and independent food stores. Housed in glass bottles, this cream is also A2.
Natural By Nature Organic Cream
Available in health food stores nation wide.
Straus Family Creamery
Available primarily in California and states west of the Rockies, this is a great quality cream. This brand is also available at all Sprouts locations nationwide.
Clover Sonoma Farms Heavy Cream
Only available in the California area, but with plans to expand nationwide.
Kalona Organic Whipping Cream
Found in select health food stores nationwide.
Non-Dairy Heavy Cream
Let’s Do.. Organic Organic Heavy Coconut Whipped Cream
This coconut cream has zero additives and can also be found at Whole Foods, and health food stores around the country.
Unfortunately, due to the localized nature of dairy distribution, you may not have any of these available at a store near you. If this is the case, your best bet may be using dehydrated heavy cream.
Souces
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/carrageenan#side-effects
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3294053/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/monoglycerides#trans-fat
- https://thegoodhuman.com/what-is-polysorbate-80/
