Crema agria vs. nata agria vs. crema ácida
The terms crema agria, nata agria, and crema ácida all refer to sour cream, but they are used in different geographical regions. generally, nata agria is European Spanish, while crema agria and crema ácida are used across Latin America.
Crema agria
B1This is the most standard term used in the majority of Latin American countries and by Spanish speakers in the United States. It is a literal translation of the English phrase sour cream.
Añade una taza de crema agria a la sopa de tomate.
(Add a cup of sour cream to the tomato soup.)
Me gusta ponerle mucha crema agria a mis papas horneadas.
(I like to put a lot of sour cream on my baked potatoes.)
Esta marca de crema agria es la más popular en el supermercado.
(This brand of sour cream is the most popular in the supermarket.)
Para suavizar la salsa picante, agrega un poco de crema agria.
(To tone down the hot sauce, add a little sour cream.)
Nata agria
B1This term is used exclusively in Spain. In Peninsular Spanish, the word nata refers to the fat layer of milk (heavy whipping cream), whereas crema usually refers to a vegetable soup or dessert custard.
En España se suele servir el salmón ahumado con nata agria.
(In Spain, smoked salmon is usually served with sour cream.)
He comprado un bote de nata agria para hacer el pastel.
(I bought a tub of sour cream to make the cake.)
Bate la nata agria con un poco de azúcar para el postre.
(Whip the sour cream with a little sugar for dessert.)
La receta pide nata agria, pero no la encuentro en esta tienda.
(The recipe calls for sour cream, but I cannot find it in this store.)
Crema ácida
B1This term is widely used in Mexico and parts of Central America. It highlights the acidity of the product and distinguishes it from crema dulce (sweet cream). Note that in Mexico, people often just say crema, but the label will say crema ácida.
Los chilaquiles verdes saben deliciosos con queso y crema ácida.
(Green chilaquiles taste delicious with cheese and sour cream.)
Ponle crema ácida a los tacos para que no piquen tanto.
(Put sour cream on the tacos so they aren't so spicy.)
La crema ácida mexicana tiene una consistencia más líquida.
(Mexican sour cream has a runnier consistency.)
Necesitamos comprar crema ácida para acompañar las enchiladas.
(We need to buy sour cream to accompany the enchiladas.)
Summary
Use nata agria if you are in Spain. Use crema ácida if you are in Mexico or reading Mexican recipes. Use crema agria for general Latin American usage or translations from English within the United States.