Creme Fraiche?

[Stacys]

Any idea where I could purchase it in DC?

[yfunk3]

All Whole Foods, all Trader Joes, probably all Wegmans. Have even seen it in Giant, Safeway and Shoppers. It's a fairly common items nowadays, but sometimes it's very hidden. Took me a while to find out where Whole Foods keeps it (in the cheese section, with the cheese spreads and Boursin).

[chowser]

Just before Thanksgiving, Giant had a buy one get one sale on them.

[justaddwater]

Cowgirl Creamery has it, as does Balducci's.

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Balducci's
600 Franklin St, Alexandria, VA 22314

[Stacys]

Thanks. I was thinking I could make it myself but when I googled it, all of the recipes said "do this if you absolutely have to but it will be nowhere as good as the real thing." And who wants that?

[odkaty]

You should experiment. I prefer the homemade with buttermilk (versus the sour cream or yogurt versions).

[justaddwater]

The Cowgirl stuff is "the real thing." I saw them scooping it out of a bucket into their store brand containers (unless I'm thinking about another place, which may be the case). The Balducci's creme is certainly very good, but it is prepackaged Vermont Butter and Cheese, which is a premium brand. I kind of like the idea of going the homemade route, if you do, make sure you sanitize the container and utensils using your dish machine's sanitizing cycle or boil (the container and utensils, not the dairy) for 20 minutes.

Update! Looks like CC does make their own:

http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/cheese...

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Balducci's
600 Franklin St, Alexandria, VA 22314

[sweth]

In DC proper, Whole Foods usually has it. You can also save a bundle by just making some yourself from things that any grocery would have: mix 1 c. heavy cream w/ 1 tbsp. buttermilk, and let it sit out at room temp for ~6 hours, until it's thick like sour cream; then refrigerate it overnight, and you've got creme fraiche.

[JonParker]

Wegman's has it. Dang, I think they have everything.