Cream cheese is an American invention that dates back to 1872. Aside from being the key ingredient in cheese cake, the smooth soft cheese is served with fruit, crackers, or on breads such as bagels.
Cream cheese is made from cow's milk and is considered an unripened cheese and by definition must contain at least 33 % milk fat. The cream cheese product is available in full fat, low-fat or light. A similar product is Neufachatel cheese which is lower in fat (about 23%).