Cream Meaning
Cream Definition & Usage
A thick, rich dairy product made by skimming the fat from milk. It is often used in cooking, baking, or as a topping for various dishes.
Examples
- "She added a dollop of cream to her coffee for extra richness."
- "The recipe calls for two cups of heavy cream to make the sauce."
- "I like to use fresh cream in my mashed potatoes to make them extra creamy."
- "The dessert was topped with whipped cream and fresh berries."
- "He drizzled a little cream over the soup for added texture and flavor."
The best or most desirable part of something, often used in the phrase 'the cream of the crop'.
Examples
- "Her design was the cream of the competition, winning first place."
- "The company's new hires are considered the cream of the crop."
- "The cream of the city's restaurants are located in this district."
- "He is the cream of the class when it comes to academic performance."
- "They serve only the cream of the crop at that exclusive club."
To remove the best part of something, or to take the top portion of a group for oneself.
Examples
- "The team creamed the competition, winning by a huge margin."
- "He creamed the cookies, taking the best ones for himself."
- "In the final round, they creamed the others in terms of votes."
- "The restaurant has been creaming the market, with its sales skyrocketing."
- "She creamed the exam, getting a perfect score in every subject."
Cultural Context
Cream has been a staple in cooking for centuries, particularly in European cuisine. It is associated with indulgence and richness. In modern times, it can be found in a wide array of culinary products, from dairy-based whipped creams to plant-based alternatives. The phrase 'the cream of the crop' originates from the fact that cream rises to the top of milk, symbolizing excellence or the best part of something.
The Cream of the Contest
Story
The Cream of the Contest
In a bustling city, there was a prestigious annual baking contest known as 'The Best of the Bakers.' Each year, competitors gathered from all over to showcase their skills. Among them was Clara, a young baker who had honed her craft for years. She was determined to win this year, not just to prove her talent but because the grand prize was a coveted internship with the renowned Chef Delacroix. Clara had been practicing for weeks, perfecting her signature recipe—a rich chocolate mousse topped with homemade whipped cream. The day of the contest arrived, and the air in the grand hall was thick with anticipation. The judges, all prominent chefs from around the world, were seated at the front. As the competitors presented their creations, Clara watched as some of the others made impressive dishes, but none of them seemed to match her mousse’s creamy perfection. She knew that if she nailed the presentation and the taste, she would stand out. When Clara's turn came, she placed her mousse on the table, garnished with a generous swirl of fresh whipped cream. The judges were immediately impressed with the smooth texture of the cream and the richness of the chocolate. The taste was divine, and Clara could see the smiles on their faces as they tasted her dish. It was clear that her mousse was the cream of the contest. As the results were announced, Clara’s heart raced. 'And the winner is... Clara Stevenson!' The crowd erupted into applause. She had creamed the competition, not just with her baking skills but with the quality of her ingredients. Her mousse, with its perfect creaminess, had outshone all the other contestants. Clara had won, and her dream of working with Chef Delacroix was within reach. Afterward, as Clara basked in the glory of her victory, Chef Delacroix approached her. 'I knew you had something special when I saw you using real cream in that mousse,' he said. 'It’s the small details like that which make a dish stand out—the cream, the quality, the care.' Clara smiled, knowing she had not only baked her way to victory but had also served up the best of the best. The cream, both in the literal and figurative sense, had truly risen to the top.
Related Words
