# SOUR Cream???

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sour-cream/48327>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 4, 2001, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sour-cream/48327 "2001-01-04T01:11:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Feet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c77e96/32.png) [@Happy\_Feet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Feet)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2001, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sour-cream/48327/1 "2001-01-04T01:11:07Z")

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Just why is it sour cream anyway? It isnt very sour at all. Is it sour in contrast to sweet cream? Why do we call it that?

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**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2001, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sour-cream/48327/2 "2001-01-04T01:26:40Z")

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It is creamy and it is somewhat sour. It usually has lactic acid added to it to give its flavor.

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**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2001, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sour-cream/48327/3 "2001-01-04T17:41:05Z")

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For clues, see: [Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_162.html)