Seasoned coffee creamer sipper?
Or an absolute newbie in the coffee creamer game?
Either way, today, you can find out what coffee creamers are, how long they last, and how to tell if they’ve gone bad.
Want to know the best part?
We’ll also include helpful advice about how to store each type of coffee creamer.
TLDR: There are four types of coffee creamer: powder, single-use, dairy, and non-dairy. They’re all stored differently and last for various lengths of time, but look for changes in appearance, texture, and taste. If you find any, you should throw your coffee creamer away.
What Is Coffee Creamer? What Is Coffee Creamer Used For?
The base ingredients of coffee creamer are generally water, sugar, and vegetable oil.
Although that might not sound uber exciting, once mixed with flavoring and poured into your mug, creamers make for a delicious alternative to milk or cream.
You’ll find coffee creamers in a whole range of flavors, like pumpkin spice, hazelnut, and caramel.
Types Of Coffee Creamers: Has My Coffee Creamer Gone Bad? How Do I Store My Coffee Creamer?
Powder Coffee Creamers
Has my powdered coffee creamer gone bad?
Look for clumps in the powder caused by moisture getting in and sticking the powder together. Otherwise, add a little coffee creamer to your coffee and see if it tastes unusual. If it tastes bad or has clumps in it, it’s time to throw it out.
How do I store my powder coffee creamer?
You can store your coffee creamer in a dark, dry place at room temperature. It’s super important that you keep your powder creamer away from moisture, as this will encourage bacterial growth.
Therefore, you should keep your coffee powder in a resealable airtight bag or container. You might have to transfer it out of the packaging it came in for this.
It’s a good idea to portion your coffee creamer into month-long portions. That way, dipping a wet teaspoon into your powder won’t spoil your whole batch.
How long will my powder creamer last?
Your best bet is simple: go by the best-by/sell-by/use-by date on the pack. In general, the shelf life will be around 1-2 years.
You can use your powder coffee creamer a few months after its expiration date, but make sure you follow the steps above to check for any deterioration.
Single-Use Sealed Cups of Coffee Creamer
Has my single-use cup of coffee creamer gone bad?
Easy. Just peel the lid off the cup, and check if there’s a funky smell. No? Give it a sip.
If it tastes fine, you’re good to go. If it tastes different than your usual, chuck it.
Don’t worry – if there’s no bad odor, you’re unlikely to do yourself any damage by sipping a little of the creamer.
How do I store my sealed cups of coffee creamer?
Ideally, keep your single-use coffee creamers in a cool, dry place like a pantry.
However, these sealed cups are designed for travel, so they hold up well in your bag or on the counter.
Since they’re sealed, you don’t need to worry about moisture or bacteria getting in.
How long will my single-use coffee creamer last?
Single-use coffee creamers usually have a shelf life of around six months.
However, because they’re sealed, they’ll likely be okay to use for a few weeks past the expiration date.
Dairy-Based Coffee Creamers
How do I tell if my dairy coffee creamer has gone bad?
You should check for a few key indications that your dairy-based coffee creamer has gone bad. These indications are similar across most dairy products, like milk.
- Chunks in texture are a surefire sign your coffee creamer is ready for the bin.
- Any unusual smells? Chuck your creamer away.
- If you can’t notice a weird smell or any chunks, then give your dairy-based coffee creamer a sip to check whether it tastes sour.
How do I store my dairy-based coffee whitener?
Like other dairy products, dairy coffee creamers should go in the refrigerator unless your bottle is pasteurized or the label says otherwise.
Keeping your dairy-based creamer away from heat is important, as heat causes the milk inside your creamer to curdle.
How long will my dairy-based coffee creamer last?
Go by the best-before date here. However, most dairy-based coffee creamers will last 4-7 days once opened, as long as they’re stored correctly (i.e., in the refrigerator).
Non-Dairy-Based Coffee Creamers
Help! Has my non-dairy coffee creamer gone bad?
Non-dairy creamers come with a huge variety of ingredients, so the best way to know if yours has gone bad is by comparing any differences to a fresh bottle.
Look for changes in color, texture, smell, and taste. If your creamer has got darker or clumpy, it’s ready for the bin.
How do I store my non-dairy creamer?
Again, the variety of non-dairy creamers means there’s a variety of storage recommendations.
Before opening it, you should store it the way you found it in the supermarket. For example, if you find the coffee creamer on a non-refrigerated shelf, it’s fine to be left in your pantry until opened.
If you’re unsure where to store your non-dairy coffee creamer and you can’t find instructions on the pack, then the refrigerator is a safe bet.
Once opened, almost all non-dairy coffee creamers need to go in the fridge.
How long do non-dairy coffee creamers last?
Non-dairy coffee creamers last longer than dairy coffee creamers, as the latter have milk in them, which spoils fast.
You should go by the best-before and specific bottle instructions on the pack, but usually, non-dairy creams last 1-2 months unopened.
Once you’ve opened your coffee creamer, expect it to last 1-2 weeks in the fridge.
Key Takeaways
We’ve taken you through a comprehensive guide to coffee creamers.
What are our key takeaways?
- To check if your coffee creamer has gone bad, look for changes in texture, smell, and taste.
- Powdered coffee creamers will last the longest period. Dairy-based coffee creamers will last the shortest.
- For powder and single-use coffee creamer cups, leave them in a dark, dry cupboard. For other creamers, your best bet is to store them in the refrigerator.
