Smetana is the sour cream product popular across Eastern Europe, a cultured cream with a mild tang and a rich, spoonable body. It is made by fermenting pasteurized cream with lactic acid bacteria, which thickens it and gives it its gentle acidity, and it is also known as smatana in some regions. Smetana is used both as a drink and as a topping or ingredient for many dishes, from soups and sauces to baked goods, and it holds its texture better than thinner sour creams when heated. As a fermented dairy food it must be kept refrigerated, and its clean, mild flavour makes it a versatile counterpart to both savoury and sweet dishes.