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

Whole milk is about 4% milk fat. Above that and we don’t call it milk any more, but mostly cream.

 * Half and half (roughly meaning half milk and half cream) is 10-18%.

 * Light cream is 18-30%.

 * Whipping cream is 30-36%.

 * Heavy whipping cream 36-40%.

 * Double cream is 48%.

Above that is basically butter (70%).