eli5: Why is there 1%, 2%, and whole milk but not any other percentage?

Question

I just feel like its weird how the percentage goes from 1-2% to whole.

Also, what do these percentages even mean? How can you turn milk into 1% or 2% milk?

In: Other

Answer 1

To get more fat than whole milk (about 4%), you start going into different creams. Light cream is about 20% fat. Half-and-half is half light cream, half whole milk, so about 12% fat. Whipping cream and heavy cream are both above 30% fat. Butter is at least 80% fat.