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Does coffee creamer go bad? And how long does Coffee-Mate last? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know!
For so many people, coffee creamer makes their favorite drink so much better.
As a result of this, plenty of coffee drinkers decide to purchase coffee creamer and store it in their kitchen – you’ll likely find some somewhere!
But because they’re often stored for so long, is there a way they can go bad? Is there an expiration date on them?
We’re going to find out in this helpful guide by looking at all the information about their shelf life, if they have a best-by date and if there is an obvious sign that your creamer has gone bad.
So, pour a cup and take a seat. Let’s get started!
How Would I Know That My Coffee Creamer Has Gone Bad?
As with most food items and drink products, when coffee creamer has gone bad – you’ll notice changes to the texture as it gets large and lumpy – similar to when you see milk curdling.
You may notice that there is a weird smell or strange odor and even if you’ve missed these signs – there is the most obvious bitter taste or bad taste.
Of course, risking drinking things that have gone off, particularly with a dairy option, can potentially lead to health risks such as food poisoning and other adverse health effects or health issues.
Powdered creamer can often show a sign of molds, particularly if left for a couple of months. A rule of thumb here is to simply throw it out!
Storage Method – Avoiding The Issues
Typically, there are three main versions of coffee creamer. These are liquid creamer, sealed cups, and powdered whitener.
If you’ve purchased your creamer in liquid form and from the dairy section of your local store, they need to be refrigerated as they are the dairy version – they contain milk, sugar and cream, and sometimes other flavors.
Non-dairy-creamer can be different. If you wish to, you can leave these types of creamer in your pantry as long as it’s away from a heat source. Remember though, you will need to refrigerate the creamer as soon as you have opened the pack.
If you put an open pack back into the pantry, it will go bad pretty quickly.
The best and easiest way to avoid your creamer going bad is to use it as quickly as possible and always check the label for its life span and storage methods.
So, How Long Will My Creamer Last?
It really depends on the creamer you have purchased. Some creamers can last a few days and some can last a couple of months – it will all be listed on your label.
Powdered creamer will almost always last longer than liquid creamer and if you haven’t opened it, powdered creamer will last even longer.
You should not gamble on your creamer though as it is possible to get sick if you drink creamer that has gone bad.
Best By Dates And Expiration Dates On Your Coffee Creamer
Most coffee creamer comes with a best-by date printed on the packaging. This is usually around two years.
It’s important to remember that this isn’t the same as the expiration date. As the name suggests, expiration dates will refer to the date that the product should have expired entirely.
You might be able to get away with drinking creamer if it is past its best by date, but not the expiration date – although it’s always best to avoid bad coffee creamer anyway.
For more frequently asked questions, visit our index of food-related questions and answers. Here are a few suggestions for you:
Should I Just Use Milk Instead?
This is entirely up to you. If you’re the type of person who is very health-conscious, then you’re probably better off sticking with milk as it generally has less fat, bad sugars, and preservatives.
Additionally, milk is typically much easier to tell when it has gone bad. However, milk typically does not last very long and needs to be consumed relatively quickly, and can sometimes make a person’s coffee taste much more “watery” than they are fond of.
In essence, it’s a case of taste. If you are the kind of person that wants their cup of Joe to taste its best, then creamer is the best option for you, but if you’re much more interested in staying healthy (and saving some dollars), then milk is the better option.
In reality though, the healthiest option is to avoid any creamer or milk entirely and drink your coffee black.
Not only has black coffee been shown to have alertness promotion and is much more hydrating than adding a dairy product, but it is also safe for most people.
The problem with dairy products is that they normally contain lactose, which is the sugar found in things like milk. This sugar is often disagreeable with people and this is a condition known as lactose intolerance.
If you live with lactose intolerance, you’re definitely better off avoiding both milk and creamer.
If you are not that happy drinking plain, black coffee though – you can likely find a lactose-free option in your local store, just be sure to check the label for its shelf-life too!
Coffee Creamer Storage: A Reminder
Coffee creamer should be stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. You don’t want to put it in the fridge if it is unopened because this will cause the creamer to go stale quicker.
Ideally, you’d use the creamer on the same day of purchase – but it’s understandable that it is not always as simple as that.
What’s The Best Coffee Creamer?
This is another area of personal contention. There are many creamers on the market and the type of creamer you purchase will come down to your own preference. Coffee-Mate is a very popular creamer on the market though!
Different types of coffee (espresso for example) may require different creamers, so be sure to check the labels on the coffee for their recommendations.
Summary: Does Does Coffee Creamer Go Bad?
Coffee creamer can improve your cup of coffee, but as with most other food and drink items, you need to be aware of any signs of the product going bad and be sure to check the labels for their shelf lives and storage methods.
Your turn! How Does coffee creamer go bad? I bet you now know the answer to this question.
For more frequently asked questions, visit our index of food-related questions and answers. Here are a few suggestions for you: