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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To disown OH for buying Elmlea instead of proper cream?

78 replies

QueryQuery · 08/11/2015 21:12

It's rank. Utterly rank. What was he thinking?

Actually, I know what he was thinking. He couldn't be bother to walk the extra two hundred yards to sainsburys and went to the shit shop instead.

OP posts:
Castrovalva · 08/11/2015 23:11

I was brought up on TipTop.

Elmlea is like manna from heaven compared to that stuff.

Pipbin · 08/11/2015 23:23

People who don't know what Elmlea is, you're not missing anything. It's a 'cream substitute' made for people who can't eat dairy. It's made from vegetable fats.

It's not dairy free. It's made from butter milk and vegetable oil.

I think that corner shops keep it in as it lasts longer.

As for him, LTB is the only option.

To disown OH for buying Elmlea instead of proper cream?
FithColumnist · 08/11/2015 23:24

LTB is too lenient. Report the pervert to the authorities.

knickernicker · 08/11/2015 23:25

My Aunt and Uncle renamed their House 'Elmlea' in honour of my hate for the synthetic product.

Pipbin · 08/11/2015 23:26

The tag line seems to be that it lasts longer than fresh cream which they say only lasts open for 3 days. Horseshit, double cream lasts for about a week open.

To disown OH for buying Elmlea instead of proper cream?
thornrose · 08/11/2015 23:28

Carnation milk anyone? Grin

GoofyIsACow · 08/11/2015 23:43

For some reason i have just snorted loudly at pipbin 'horseshit'
It's the absolute vehemence! Grin

BreconBeBuggered · 08/11/2015 23:50

MIL buys it, therefore I know to avoid having it in my kitchen. She doesn't really believe in food.

Busyworkingmum71 · 08/11/2015 23:57

I like elmlea, it's all I ever buy hangs head in shame

squoosh · 09/11/2015 00:16

Double cream lasts forever. Well, ten days at least.

ElderlyKoreanLady · 09/11/2015 00:25

Don't divorce the poor man! Maybe he didn't know like me until I opened this thread

Why do they make it look so much like actual cream?! And even state double and single on it?! It's not a product I'd have ever thought to check and mum always called it cream when I was growing up Sad

squoosh · 09/11/2015 00:29

I always associate Elmlea with cat food. Do they use a cat in the ad?

Pipbin · 09/11/2015 07:48

They used to use a cat with the tag line that cats can't tell the difference, like that is any guarantee of quality.

treaclesoda · 09/11/2015 07:56

I reckon they make a product that looks so similar to cream but isn't really any better purely because over the years the producers have manufactured a market for it. And there is a market for it because there are huge swathes of consumers my MIL and several other MILs on this thread for starters who are terrified of what they are eating and believe that any modern substitute is more healthy than what they were eating 50 years ago, just because a marketing person somewhere has told them so. Same as those '95% fat free biscuits' that have far more sugar in them than a standard biscuit and therefore don't in any way contribute to weight loss or whatever.

Now, obviously, if anyone prefers the taste of Elmlea, or likes the fact that it is a longer life product then certainly I can see why they buy it. But when you get people who aren't really aware of what is in stuff and just think 'ooh, that is healthier, I'll buy that' I can see why there is a huge market for it.

Tfoot75 · 09/11/2015 08:15

I imagine they have built up a customer base out of people who don't realise it isn't cream, like my pils. They presumably think it's better as its branded and advertised on TV! Not sure how the price compares? It tastes disgusting if you're expecting cream.

Dream topping is really nice as I remember though?

Timeforanamechangey · 09/11/2015 13:03

I recently revealed to my DBro that Elmlea isn't real cream.

He was horrified. I believe he may have used the phrase 'my whole life has been a lie..'.

At least he knows now :D

Pipbin · 09/11/2015 22:06

I used to love dream topping, tip top and super whip. What the fuck was tip top? What was in that?

Pipbin · 09/11/2015 22:09

Crap, that what was in Tip Top, pure crap.

To disown OH for buying Elmlea instead of proper cream?
SirChenjin · 09/11/2015 22:10

I love Elmlea - loud and proud

Pipbin · 09/11/2015 22:12

Mmmmm Dream topping is utter crap. Good lord we ate some crud in the 70s and 80s in the misguided idea that it was better for us than real stuff like cream or butter.

To disown OH for buying Elmlea instead of proper cream?
Pipbin · 09/11/2015 22:13

Incase you can't read the dream topping ingredients they are:

Ingredients:
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Emulsifiers: Propane-1, 2-diol Esters of Fatty Acids, Soya Lecithin, Milk Lactose, Milk Proteins, Whey Powder from Milk, Stabiliser: Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Flavourings, Colour: Beta-Carotene

MrsSchadenfreude · 09/11/2015 23:21

Mmm, dream topping. And Instant Whip, Angel Delight's poor relation.

ouryve · 09/11/2015 23:27

Fink it's not remotely dairy free - it contains buttermilk powder.
www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/fresh-cream-custard/elmlea-single-cream-substitute-284ml

ouryve · 09/11/2015 23:31

And it's cheaper to produce than real cream, since it's made of leftovers and cheap fillers.

HopefulAnxiety · 10/11/2015 01:17

At least evaporated milk and condensed milk are just milk and sugar - not a health food but at least natural and pronounceable ingredients!