Does Coffee Creamer Need To Be Refrigerated? [Everything To Know]

Did you add a dash of creamer to your coffee this morning? I know I did, I can’t resist a creamier taste. Each sip is like tasting heaven in a mug.

But, once I’ve opened that packet, I always wonder, does coffee creamer need to be refrigerated, or can you just put it back on the shelf?

Has this question ever popped into your mind, too? If so, you’re in the right place.

As a coffee lover myself, I have done some thorough research on the topic, and to help people like us, I have put together everything you’ll need to know in this blog

There are tons of things to explore, my friend. So let’s dig in:

Should You Put Coffee Mate Creamer in the Fridge?

You must definitely put it in the fridge if you don’t want the taste to spoil. However, it will depend on the kind of coffee mate creamer you use.

Not clear? Look at the below points to fill in any blanks:

Liquid Creamer

These are the ones that need refrigeration at all costs. In fact, most of them already need to be stored in the fridge both before and after opening. It really depends on the kind of creamer.

The best way to find out whether they need refrigeration before or after opening is by paying close attention to the way it is stored in the grocery store. 

For example, if they are stocked up in a refrigerator, then you must put them in your refrigerator right after coming home. On the other hand, if they are kept on the shelf, then you can also leave it like this till you open the packet.

You can also check the labels, as many come with the tagline “keep refrigerated”. This will help you to find out the stability of the creamer and whether or not it will get spoiled quickly. 

N.B: The liquid coffee creamer comes with a short expiry date in comparison to the other coffee creamer. So make sure to cross-check the label to find out how long it will last once opened.

Liquid Creamer Singles

These creamer singles are basically the single-serving packets of the liquid creamer. What’s more interesting about them is that, unlike the bulk amount of liquid creamer, they are typically made from non-dairy products, such as vegetable oil, sugar, and corn syrup. 

These singles were particularly designed to not need any sort of refrigeration as they can last for about a year. However, they must be stored in a cool, dry place and remain sealed.

Powder Creamer

Powder creamer is literally the longest-lasting coffee creamer that you will find in the market. They are to be kept in a cool and dry space. However, you can store them in a dark pantry as well, just make sure they are away from moisture. 

Plus, they must be kept away from cabinets adjacent to the stove/refrigerator. Any incoming heat from the appliances might cause the powdered creamer to spoil, and nobody wants that!

Moreover, they are a big fat No when it comes to chilling them so don’t make the mistake of keeping them in the refrigerator.

Aside from all this, they are a pretty stable form of creamer to add to your favorite cup of coffee. 

Factors That Affect the Lifespan of Creamer 

There are several factors that play an active role in affecting how long the creamer will last:

Expiration Date 

Though it may seem pretty obvious, the expiration dates are certainly there for a reason. For example, you can usually eat products within four to seven days of the expiry date.

However, both the quality and flavor may deteriorate, meaning you won’t get the same taste and flavor as you would have gotten prior to the expiration dates.

Therefore, if you don’t want your creamer to get spoiled, make sure to use it before the expiration date. One piece of advice: Try to buy a creamer that comes with a long expiry date and do your best to finish it before the designated time is up.

Ingredients 

Like any other product, the ingredients in the coffee creamer also play a significant role in its durability. 

Whether it’s a regular or flavored version never really affects it that much. But the dairy does!

For example, the liquid coffee creamers that come with dairy ingredients can begin to expire within just two hours. So, it’s important that you keep your creamer (dairy ingredient) in the fridge within an hour after purchasing or using it.

In contrast, if you use liquid, non-dairy creamers, then you can possibly go for a longer time without necessarily putting them in the refrigerator.

This comes down to them usually being made of vegetable oils and preservatives, which can remain in a much more stable state despite the high temperatures. 

One thing to point out is that this is something of a generalization, as there are tons of non-dairy creamers that might still need refrigeration, so always make sure to check. 

The best way is to cross-check the packaging for the exact information so that you can keep yourself away from any kind of unwanted surprises later on.

Fridge Position 

This may come to you as a big surprise, but the position of the refrigerator can play quite a big role in affecting the shelf life of creamers. 

No wonder there are so many people complaining that their creamers have spoiled even though they kept them in the refrigerator door. 

The ultimate reason behind this is there is a great fluctuation in temperature at the refrigerator door, which tends to change every time the door gets opened. And since they receive massive amounts of warm air while the refrigerator is open, then the sooner they will go off.

The best way is to put them in the back of the fridge instead of placing them at the door. Doing so will help to maintain the quality of the creamer as there is almost no temperature alteration when opening the refrigerator.

Open vs. Unopened Packages

Both of these come with a different shelf life. For instance, the unopened ones will always last much longer due to being sealed off tightly.

As a result, there is no chance of the oxygen and bacteria getting in and spoiling them. However, once you open a creamer, it is almost impossible to seal them as they were before, which is one of the very reasons why they get spoiled so rapidly.

Though this is true for both dairy and non-dairy creamers, this rule is mostly applicable to dairy-based ones. Therefore, always refrigerate your opened packages, whether dairy or non-dairy, as soon as you open them.

Counter Time

Do you have the habit of putting your creamer away after making your morning cup of coffee? 

Well, I do!

If you have the habit of making this mistake like me, then, my friend, your creamer is not going to last long as it will have longer to heat up, which helps the bacteria to start growing. 

Therefore, as a rule, make sure to put your creamer in the fridge right after using it. This simple habit is going to help you preserve the shelf life of your creamer for a much longer period. If I can do it, then you most certainly can!

How To Properly Store Creamer?

You must store your liquid creamer in the fridge at temperatures ranging below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Like any other dairy products they must be stored in airtight containers if opened. This will help to keep the moisture and various other contaminants away.

Though opinions might vary from one to another, many would suggest freezing the creamers. However, in my opinion, it is best to not freeze them as while thawing, they will eventually get separated. Hence, if you do decide to freeze them, make sure to take note of whether or not there is sufficient room in the container for expansion as they freeze.

On the other hand, for the powdered creamer, you can keep them in a cool and dark pantry away from all the heat and moisture. 

How Long Does Coffee Mate Last?

Frankly speaking, there is no accurate estimation. And it really depends on how well you store them from day one. 

For instance, if your coffee creamer has been opened and properly stored, then you can expect it to last around 10-15 days. On the other hand, if they are not open, they can stay fresh for about 1-2 months without refrigeration.

However, if they are not properly stored after opening, then at maximum, they will last for maybe a week.

The sealed creamers can last up to 15 days after the expiry date given on the label, depending on how well you store them in your fridge. 

While for the liquid creamers singles or the other dairy ones, they can last for much longer, ranging between 6 months to 1 year. In contrast, the powdered creamer can last for a few years, though chances are high that the flavor might change after about 2-4 months.

How Do I Know If My Creamer Has Gone Bad?

Here is a list of the things to help you know when your creamer has been spoiled:

• In case you find any sour smell coming from the creamer, then it has definitely expired. Whenever the milk protein breaks down, an unpleasant aroma starts coming from it, so discard it immediately.
• On the other hand, if you notice any kind of mold or any changes in the creamer while opening the bottle or while pouring into the coffee, such as chunks/clumps, then it will indicate that it has gone bad.
• Last but not least, if the taste of the creamer changes, say, for example, it now has a sour taste, then it will mean that the bacteria has already made its path into the creamer and has started breaking down the milk proteins.

Is There a Coffee Creamer That Doesn’t Need to be Refrigerated?

Yes, the powdered coffee creamers don’t need to be refrigerated at all due to their concentrated form.

Other than that, every kind of coffee creamer needs proper refrigeration after opening. In fact, most even come with the label “Refrigerate After Opening.” 

However, before opening them, you can certainly store them in a dry and cool place. Just make sure to take proper care of them once you open them.

FAQs

Final Words

So, does coffee creamer need to be refrigerated? Well, in general, the short answer is Yes. However, it will also depend on the kind of coffee creamer you are using.

For example, if you are using liquid creamer, then certainly, it will need refrigeration as they are more prone to spoilage. 

On the other hand, if you have powdered creamer, then you can store them in a cool, dry place, and they will stay as fresh as the day you bought them.

So make sure you store your creamer correctly to ensure you get a delicious cup of coffee every morning!