Crème fraîche in Toronto

[Westfalen]

Anyone know where to get good Crème Fraîche in Toronto....

[Darksyde]

I haven't done this myself, but you can make creme fraiche yourself...just google it, and you'll find a bunch of links.

[millygirl]

Naturally Summerhill Market carries it but I've even seen it at Sun Valley on the Danforth.

[NovoCuisine]

A couple of cheese places at St. Lawrence have it. I've bought it specifically at the one at the southeast corner of the market.

[budeeez]

I've seen it at the Loblaws on Queens Quay. Where they have the milk/cream.

[embee]

Some of the chain supermarkets (most often Loblaws) have it, though not all the time. It's in the dairy case, but different stores keep it in different sections (some near the sour cream, some elsewhere).

Most of the upmarket stores have it, including Pusateri's, Summerhill, Whole Foods, Sun Valley, Nunzio's, Bruno's.

Alex Farm sometimes has a particularly good version. There's also a new entrant, Liberte, who has a creme fraiche that is much cheaper than the norm. I've seen it at Pusateri's and at Summerhill. The Liberte stuff works well in recipes, but the flavour is more muted than I prefer.

The Western Creamery sour cream with 30% butterfat is a very good substitute for creme fraiche - different but virtually interchangeable.

It's very easy to make your own. The classic DIY recipes mix buttermilk with whipping cream and leave it at room temperature for a while, until it thickens. Complications include UHT creams, which sometimes work and sometimes don't, and buttermilks that don't have active cultures. Hewitt's whipping cream mixed with Western sour cream makes a very tasty version, as does the Loblaw's double cream mixed with Western sour cream..

[Moimoi]

It's super easy to make... I've been using this simple recipe for years.... lightly whisk together 1 cup whipping cream, 1 cup sour cream (must be regular versus non or low fat)... let it sit for 24 hours at room temperature covered, then put in the fridge (covered) for at least four hours to chill.... I put it in jam jars with those rubbery lids... It will last for days and has tons of applications.

Alternatively Loblaws sells it as "triple cream" - I believe. One of my favourite latin groceries in Kensington, Latin American Emporium, 243 Augusta Avenue, sells a 500ml tub for under $4 - unless price has gone up.

[Mila]

I've gotten Crema in Kensington many times for Mexican dinners but I didn't make the connection to creme fraiche. Do you think it is the same thing Moimoi? It's delicious but maybe not quite as tangy, and you can't beat that price.

[Moimoi]

It's been a while since I've had the stuff from Kensington, so I don't remember, but I will buy it again the next time I'm there just so I'll know for future reference...

But as I was saying, it's SO EASY to make that and the retail prices of creme fraiche are so ridiculous that it would kill me to buy it. If you get a small no name sour cream and whipping cream, you can make 500 mls of the stuff for under $4. On a couple of occasions when I've needed a "hit" I've substituted Liberty Yogurt (the Méditerranée 8.5% fat type), but only if coupling it with certain desserty things...

[DishyDiva]

Loblaws at Leslie/Eastern sells in a a white container, properly labeled as creme fraiche. It's NOT in the milk/cream section but between near the sour cream/butter/processed cheese section (across the bakery section). The price is approx. $9-10. Whether it's any good, I can't say...

[Bobby Wham]

La Fromagerie & College & Concord carries it.

[Merriam]

St. Lawrence market at one of the cheese stores (check the fridge- it's a small tub, imported from France) or try Whole Foods- (they have larger 500 ml tubs made locally)

[exquisite]

Does anyone know where I can get Creme Fraiche in Thornhill / Mississauga area? I live in Thornhill but I also cook often in Mississauga chez boyfriend.

[lsk]

This is a bit of a stretch, since this is in Markham, but Michaelangelo's at Woodbine and Hwy 7 carries the Liberte brand of creme fraiche.

[gnuf]

Highland Farms, on Hurontario south of the 401, carries creme fraiche from Liberte as well as a more expensive tub from Local Dairy Products.

[cheesymama]

Monforte Dairy is making a goat's milk creme fraiche. I have yet to try it, but most of her stuff is really good. Ruth is usually at the St Lawrence North Market on Saturdays, and lots of cheese shops around town carry her stuff.

[millygirl]

I read recently that she may be shutting down. Apparently her lease has doubled and she didn't have the energy or inclination to start looking for a new spot. They said she was thinking of moving to France for awhile. I'd be interested to hear if she is still there this weekend.

[cheesymama]

She was there last week-end, but very busy so I didn't wait around for a chance to chat with her. I'm hoping her lease doesn't expire for a while longer. She put so much time and energy into starting up Monforte and perfecting her cheese recipes, it would be a shame to see her shut down.

[zed1984]

they had a table at our tiny little farmers market at st. clair/wynchwood last week, and we purchased creme fraiche and 2 cheeses- 1 wine soaked, 1 goat. unbloody believably good.