Sour cream

Sour cream is a dairy product rich in fats obtained by fermenting a regular cream by certain kinds of Lactobacillus bacteria. The bacterial culture, introduced either deliberately or naturally, produces lactic acid, which sours and thickens the cream.

Used primarily in the cuisines of Europe and North America, sour cream is often used as a condiment. It is a traditional topping for baked potatoes, added cold along with chopped fresh chives. It is used as the base for some creamy salad dressings and can also be used in baking, added to cake, cookie, or biscuit batter.

"Sour cream and onion" is a popular flavor for potato chips. Sour cream can also provide the base for various forms of dip used for dipping potato chips or crackers.

In Russian cuisine, sour cream is often added to borscht. In Mexican (and Mexican American) cuisine, it is often added to tacos, nachos, or guacamole.