Here are the main differences between crema and sour cream:
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Taste: Crema is both sweeter and saltier than sour cream, offering a richer taste with a more buttery background flavor. Sour cream, as its name suggests, is sour and tart, similar to Greek yogurt.
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Consistency: Mexican crema is typically thinner than sour cream, while the thicker varieties of crema can be closer in consistency to sour cream.
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Butterfat content: Crema has a higher butterfat content, around 28%, compared to sour creams 18%-20%.
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Ingredients: Sour cream is made by adding bacterial cultures to milk, while the culturing process for crema uses a natural ingredient like lime juice.
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Substitution: Mexican crema may work as a substitute for sour cream in some applications, specifically ones where its differences will be less noticeable. This replacement is best for highly seasoned and spicy dishes since crema's relative lack of acidity and sweetness is less likely to stand out. Sour cream is a popular substitute for Mexican crema in the US because it is more widely available.
