Coffee creamers have indeed become essential in recent times. And rightfully so. They’re not only delicious, but they also come in different types and flavors. They elevate the quality of your homemade coffees, giving them a taste akin to the exquisite concoctions you’d typically pay a premium for.
As essential as they are, coffee creamers are somewhat delicate. Their shelf-life is debatable and might not hold out as long as you might expect them to. So properly storing coffee creamers is a chore you should abide by, and it’s worth it for sure, especially if they’re Twix flavored!
So, how long can coffee creamer sit out? Let’s find out!
How Long Can Coffee With Creamer Sit Out?
A hot cup of delicious coffee with a dollop of rich caramel creamer is just what you need on a breezy, rainy day. But I understand that life gets in the way, and the coffee you made ends up sitting on your counter, becoming a husk of the thick, rich drink you once made. Now it’s just runny and bland.
But can you still drink it? Just reheat it up and maybe restore its life?
Well, no! Because a cup of coffee with creamer will last you about two hours, depending on where you live. If you’re living somewhere hot and humid, then give the drink an hour at best sitting out and then throw it away afterward.
If you live in a cooler climate, you’re only a few hours ahead, with almost four hours of sitting out time for your coffee with creamer. However, if there seems to be any change in texture or taste after you drink it, then it belongs down the sink, so pour it away and make yourself another mug.
Do Coffee Creamers Need To Be Refrigerated?
That depends. if your coffee creamers are liquid, then storing them in the refrigerator is the best idea. If they’re powders, you should store them in a cool and dry place, like the jar tells you to.
How Long Can Coffee Creamer Sit Out of the Fridge?
Coffee creamers come in several different types, powder, liquid, and concentrate. Its storage depends on the type of creamer.
Liquid creamer needs to be stored in the freezer; concentrate and powder coffee creamers can be stored at room temperature, as long as you don’t live in a very hot and humid environment. In this case, you should store powder and concentrate coffee creamers in the refrigerator.
With all being said, how long can coffee creamer sit out of the fridge? Around two hours. Liquid and concentrate coffee creamers will last you two to two and a half hours out of the freezer. Again, if you live in humid temperatures, you’d want to freeze it as soon as possible after 30 minutes to an hour.
You can get away with storing powder coffee creamers in a cool and dry place. You could also store them in the freezer since they can form clumps if kept in a humid environment, but be careful not to freeze the powder.
What is the Coffee Creamers Shelf Life?
This is also a “depends on” question. Shelf life depends on the type of coffee creamer and how they are stored. Powdered creamers will last you two years if stored properly, while liquid and concentrated coffee creamer will last you 6 to 12 months if refrigerated properly.
To store coffee creamers the right way, here’s a simple guide below:
- Coffee creamers in powdered form, packaged in a plastic container or glass jar: Store it in a cool, dry, and well-lit place. Don’t place it in the path of direct sunlight. If needed, take it out of its original packaging and store it in an airtight container.
- Coffee creamers in liquid or concentrate form, packaged in a plastic bottle or glass tube: Store in a dry spot in the refrigerator, away from leakage or spillage. Some can be kept at room temperature but this depends on where you live.
What Elements Affect Coffee Creamers’ Shelf Lives?
If you live in a very hot and humid climate, then shelf storage is a no-no. If you live in a cold environment, then you can store it on shelves, but in a dry and well-lit spot away from the stove or oven or anything that emits heat.
Dairy coffee creamers will be more sensitive to heat, light, and humidity, more than non-dairy creamers, so store them accordingly.
How Can Bad Coffee Creamer Be Identified?
The first thing you can tell about spoiled coffee creamer is its smell. If it smells funky to the point where your nose stings a little right after you open the jar or pour it into your coffee, then it has gone bad.
The other and pretty important thing you can do is check the date. If the expiration date has passed, then you should not use it. Even if it smells or looks okay, you will be better off not using that one in your coffee.
Do this even before you buy the creamer, find out how much time you have to use it, and even if it is unopened, you still want to adhere to the date.
Look at the creamer when you’re pouring into your coffee or even do a test pour if you’re suspicious and can’t tell by the date or smell.
If there are noticeable lumps or spots on the creamer, then it’s time to throw it out. You could taste it slightly to see if it has gone bad. You don’t have to take a mouthful to determine the condition. A little taste can tell you if the creamer’s spoiled.
What Happens If You Consume Bad Coffee Creamer?
As a segue from the last paragraph, if you consume bad coffee creamer, you’re likely to get stomach aches.
Bacteria have developed in the bad creamer and will give you food poisoning, causing tummy issues and vomiting. So be very careful before you add coffee creamers into your coffee, especially if they look or smell weird or have past their expiry dates.
If it has been sitting out at the store way too long past its expiration dates, then the spoilage will be worse. In case you do happen to consume a batch of those, then monitor your symptoms and be sure to seek medical attention if you don’t feel better at home.
Remember to always check the label and dates, and inspect the texture, smell, and mixability of your creamers closely.
After consuming bad coffee creamer and suffering its consequences, try not to bounce back to drinking coffee with creamers right away. Let your stomach rest, then slowly ease into it. Include healthier versions of the creamer, like the lactose-free creamers or natural dairy ones.
FAQ’s:
Can Creamer Go Bad In One Day?
If you leave out your coffee creamer in a hot, humid, and dark environment, there’s a high chance your coffee creamer might go bad. Always check before adding creamer to your coffee and of course store the creamer properly. Powder in a cool and dry place, liquid, and concentrate in the fridge.
Can You Warm Up Creamer?
Yes, you can warm up your coffee creamer but don’t make it too hot. Generally, coffee creamers should be heated to 55°- 62°C (131°-143.6°F), heating over that will break down the milk proteins and cause them to go bad.
How Long Can Coffee With Milk Sit Out?
Like shelf-life of coffee with creamer, coffee with milk will also probably sit out for around two to two and a half hours. But this depends on where you live. In hot and humid environments, you can count on it for an hour, cooler environments can see a three-hour shelf-life. But in general, don’t let the coffee with milk sit out for more than two hours.
What Are Some Healthy Alternatives For Coffee Creamers?
Some healthy alternatives for coffee creamers are as follows: Non-dairy milk(such as almond milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk), Nut Pods, Skim Milk, and Protein powder.
Is Coffee Healthier Without Creamer?
Doctors and nutritionists recommend drinking coffee on its own, with nothing added to it. A cup of black coffee is much healthier for you while adding a ton to it is only going to suppress coffee’s natural benefits and exaggerate the amount of caffeine.
Final Words
We hope our guide helped you better understand the shelf life of coffee creamers. In general, don’t let it sit out for more than two hours. If you can get to it before that, you still have time to salvage your coffee.
Coffee creamers have ingredients that contribute to their spoilage quicker than expected, so sometimes, they can go bad even if left out for an hour.
Remember to store those precious coffee creamers properly; powder creamers in a cool and dry place, while liquid and concentrate creamers will thrive in refrigerators.
Always read the label to see the storage it recommends, and buy the creamer after inspecting its manufacturing and expiration dates.
