Dairy gets spoiled quite easily, which is why everyone should look out for their coffee creamer’s expiration date. But of course, it’s not all about that given date, as we know that is only there to ensure companies don’t get sued. So, how long should we actually keep our coffee creamers for?
Well, let’s get something straight: not all creamers are dairy-based, so you can expect some surprising facts here.
Product Quick Compare
- Flavored Coffee Creamer: Coffee Mate Vanilla Caramel Coffee Creamer is a sweet, creamy blend of vanilla & indulgent caramel. Our shelf stable liquid creamer singles are...
- Shelf Stable Creamer: Stir in our delicious flavored creamer for a rich cup of coffee that's lactose and cholesterol-free! No refrigeration needed. Blends quickly and...
- Treat Yourself: From liquid creamer singles, powdered creamers, and liquid pump bottles, to bulk creamer stations and more, Coffee Mate has the products you need to keep your...
- ☕ ELEVATE YOUR COFFEE: This delicious Vegan Coffee Creamer Powder ignites creativity aids concentration, and increases mental alertness. Our dairy free creamer keeps you...
- âš¡ CONCENTRATE & CREATE: Brain food blend that doubles as an organic creamer. It's a ready to mix healthy coffee creamer featuring MCT powder and Lions Mane Powder. Create...
- 😋 GREAT TASTING: Unlike a typical dairy free coffee creamer you won't struggle to finish your drink with this non dairy coffee creamer. The organic mushrooms and mct oil...
- THICK AND RICH: Vanilla almondmilk creamer is a rich, thick, luscious non-dairy creamer deserving of your morning coffee.
- GREAT TASTING: The carefully crafted blend of almond milk and coconut cream has a pleasant flavor that’s both nutty and tropical with a hint of warm vanilla.
- CREAMY VANILLA: Perfectly balanced with a touch of vanilla, your morning cup tastes indulgent but is entirely plant-based and planet-friendly.
Sealed Cups
Single- serving coffee creamers, like these, are a great solution if you drink coffee on the go regularly. We suggest you keep a couple of them with you because it’s perfect for busy people and those who are traveling.
These are the most common and easiest to use. They are also a necessity in every office, so it’s not hard to find some. But if we’re talking about such a day-to-day item, then it must be ready for consumption at all times.
And they almost are. Their usual shelf life lasts 6 months, so even if you took too many with you on your vacation then you will still be able to use it. Unfortunately, though, you can’t do much to extend their life. They don’t need refrigeration and they are only used once, so you can’t even try to seal it well after use.
But please, if you only used up a part of the creamer don’t put the rest of it away for later use. It’s not safe. Either dump all of it in your coffee or find someone that is willing to drink the rest. Or consider using all of it up. You know, like most of us.
Powder-Based Coffee Creamers
These have the longest shelf life, so it’s quite clear that they would be a good choice for those who don’t use creamers that often.
But there’s so much more to it!
First of all, you can use the same batch of powder-based coffee creamers for up to two years! All you need for that to happen is to keep it away from moisture, which you can do by sealing it tightly.
If you’re unsure about how well you could seal it, then you can always switch to an airtight container. But you can also check if you were able to keep it away from moisture by looking at the consistency. If the powder if lumpy or clumped together, then you need to get rid of it. If not, then you are good to go and have your delicious cup of coffee.
But if the taste is off, then you need to check your creamer again. Some products have a tendency to not show visible signs of going spoiled, so a second taste might be needed to determine this.
Dairy-Based Coffee Creamers
These are the ones you shouldn’t play around with. Look at the expiration date, add 1-2 days at most and be done with it. You don’t want to end up with diarrhea or food poisoning.
Most companies usually state that their product is good for consumption for 4-7 days after the container has been opened. But always check the smell and consistency first, don’t just pour it in your cup. We’ve all been there. You put the milk or creamer in your coffee without checking, then go for a sip. And you spit it back instantly.
Get used to checking, it will save you a lot of trouble in the future. And not just trouble, but a ton of time if you drink coffee before going to work. Being late is never a good impression on the boss, so skip the sour coffee.
But the basics: treat it like any other dairy product, throw away when sour.
Non-Diary Based Coffee Creamers
This term is pretty broad. But it’s still easy to tell how to deal with all the products that are in this category.
First of all, when you buy your creamer make note of what area of the store you bought it from. If it was kept cold, then you need to refrigerate it. If not, then you can simply keep it at room temperature until opened. After that, you will still need to put it in the fridge though, as all creamers need to be kept cold after being opened.
We would personally not trust a company that states their creamer is good for consumption without refrigeration after being opened. That’s a huge red flag, so please do not buy products that say this.
But of course, there’s always the case when you’re not sure if the product needs to be kept cold or not. If that’s the case just toss it in the fridge, better safe than sorry.
All in all, you have three steps you take to check if your creamer is still good to consume— look at the color, the consistency, the smell it. Or if you’re brave enough you can even go for tasting it. If anything seems off, throw it away. It’s not something worth risking.
In the end, you might want to listen to the expiration dates. They are there for a good reason, so if you want to play it safe then that’s your best bet. Let us know in the comments below what coffee creamer you use.
