crema

noun

ˈkre-mə 

1

: a layer of creamy tan froth that forms on the top of freshly made espresso

What the head is to the beer lover, the foam called crema is to the espresso aficionado. … The crema is produced as the water is pushed through and past the close-packed grains of coffee, although how that happens is not fully understood.

—Sidney Perkowitz, Universal Foam, 2000

Our espressos were topped with a thick, luxuriant layer of crema, the tan froth of emulsified coffee oils that is an absolute prerequisite to a proper espresso.

—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, April 1997

2

: heavy cream thickened and slightly soured usually with buttermilk

… crema, our southern neighbor's fabulously thick, buttery answer to sour cream.

—Denise Taylor, Boston Globe, 5 Nov. 2008

Thick, tart Mexican crema (a tangy, cultured cream) is normally swirled into individual soup bowls, too. If it's unavailable, sour cream is a natural stand-in.

—Rebecca Hays, Cook's Illustrated, March/April 2005

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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