The Spanish reportedly consume cream (5)
I believe the answer is:
elite
'cream' is the definition.
(as in the cream of the crop)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elite that I've seen before include "Choice; best" , "Identified as the best" , "Privileged or posh group" , "Type size; superior group" , "one of the letter sizes" .)