Why is whipped cream white?

Whipped cream is white because of the tiny air bubbles that are incorporated into it during the whipping process. These air bubbles scatter light in all directions, which gives whipped cream its characteristic white appearance. The same principle applies to other white objects, such as snow and clouds.

When cream is whipped, the fat molecules in the cream form a network that traps air bubbles. These air bubbles are then stabilized by the proteins in the cream. As a result, the whipped cream becomes lighter in color and increases in volume.

The color of whipped cream can also be affected by the type of cream that is used. Heavy cream, which has a higher fat content, will produce a whiter whipped cream than light cream. This is because the fat molecules in heavy cream are more effective at trapping air bubbles.

Whipped cream can also be flavored with a variety of ingredients, such as sugar, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder. These ingredients can change the color of whipped cream, but they will not affect its basic white appearance.