by their butterfat content. It contains high levels of saturated fat, in ascending proportion from light cream to heavy cream.

Cream skimmed from milk may be called "sweet cream" to distinguish it from cream skimmed from whey, a by-product of cheese-making. Whey cream has a lower fat content and tastes more salty, tangy, and "cheesy". In many countries, partially fermented cream is also sold as sour cream,