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What is Half and Half?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The term “half and half” is used to describe a number of foods that combine equal parts of two things. In the United States, it typically refers specifically to a dairy product made from milk and cream. The term may also be used to discuss various alcoholic beverages, such as a Black and Tan, a layered beer traditionally made by mixing Guinness Stout and Harp Lager. As a pre-mixed food, half and half is available in many grocery stores, and it can also be made at home in a pinch.

Unlike milk, half and half is not really intended for plain consumption. The addition of cream raises the butterfat content of the milk, making it thick and heavy. As anyone who has tried to drink it knows, the combination is rather unpalatable on its own. Half and half also cannot substitute for cream, since the butterfat content is too low for whipping into butter or stiff cream products.

A "half and half" can refer to a drink made with stout.
A "half and half" can refer to a drink made with stout.

There are a number of potential applications for half and half. Many Americans use it as a creamer in their coffees, and a number of companies produce a range of flavored products for this very purpose. It's stable in coffee, and lends a rich creaminess that milk alone cannot. The dairy product is also used in ice cream production, and some recipes call for it specifically when a creamy flavor and texture is desired without the high butterfat of true cream.

Pasteurized cream and milk are used to make half and half.
Pasteurized cream and milk are used to make half and half.

The butterfat content of half and half varies, depending on the producer. It is generally above 10%, but should not be above 18%. In a commercial dairy, it is made by separately pasteurizing milk and cream and then homogenizing equal parts together. The homogenization ensures that the half and half will not separate. At home, the mixture can be made by combining cream and milk in equal parts, and it should be used quickly, before it starts to separate.

The butterfat content of half and half is typically between 10% and 18%.
The butterfat content of half and half is typically between 10% and 18%.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, chilled half and half can keep for up to 10 days under refrigeration. Fluctuations in individual refrigerator temperature may have an impact on this keeping time, so sniffing for spoilage is recommended, especially if it's nearing its expiration date. People should also try to avoid introducing bacteria to dairy products by keeping them under refrigeration at all times, and never pouring dairy back into the carton it came from.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

browncoat

@anon149104 - Half and half has about 10 grams of carbohydrates per cup. It often doesn't show up on the ingredient list since they recommend such small serving sizes, the carbs become insignificant.

More importantly, half and half has over 300 calories per cup which might not seem like much when you're only having a bit in a coffee, but it can quickly add up if you have several coffees per day.

bythewell
@anon143421 - I'm not sure anyone can really be credited with inventing it. Cream is naturally present in milk until it is removed. Farmers probably removed or added as much as they wanted, which may have been little enough to call their milk "half and half" although they probably didn't use that term.

There are all kinds of gradations of butterfat in milk and cream, right up to the point where you have butter, which is basically cream that's had all the liquid removed.

@anon50236 - So, likewise for you, I'm not sure when you could really say they put it on the market, since I'm sure people have been selling some kind of variation of this since they domesticated cattle.

anon149104

Are there any carbs in half and half milk?

anon143421

I'm trying to find out who is credited for inventing half and half?

anon50236

I am looking for when half and half was first on the market.

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    • A "half and half" can refer to a drink made with stout.
      By: zaphod2008
      A "half and half" can refer to a drink made with stout.
    • Pasteurized cream and milk are used to make half and half.
      By: Viorel Sima
      Pasteurized cream and milk are used to make half and half.
    • The butterfat content of half and half is typically between 10% and 18%.
      By: seqoya
      The butterfat content of half and half is typically between 10% and 18%.
    • Some people use half and half to enhance black coffee.
      By: al62
      Some people use half and half to enhance black coffee.