Crema

This is not just cream any more than canela is just cinnamon. It is ripened with a bacterial culture like sour cream or crème fraîche, but neither is a true substitute. Crema is a little more liquid than other cultured creams and the flavor is warmer and nuttier. Excellent crema is sold in sturdy plastic bags at market stalls in Oaxaca. Several commercial U.S. brands now show up in many Latin American groceries catering to Mexican and Salvadoran shoppers. Look for names like crema criolla, crema salvadoreña or mexicana, or just crema; experiment with different brands if possible to find the one with the most flavor and the fewest preservatives.