Coffee creamers are a must-have for many coffee drinkers. Coffee creamers are an essential kitchen item in many households.
And they are often stored for months. So, almost everyone who uses coffee creamer wonders: Does coffee creamer go bad?
Perhaps you only drink coffee occasionally and aren’t sure how long a liquid creamer will last after it’s opened. You might consider buying it in powdered form.
This article is about coffee creamers . We cover storage, shelf life and spoilage. We cover both powdered and liquid creamers. We have you covered, no matter what flavor you choose.
Before we get started, let me remind you that this article is about coffee creamers or whiteners. We won’t be discussing cream, half and half or milk below.
How to store coffee creamer
There are three types of coffee creamers that are very popular. The liquid creamer is sold in large tetra packets and plastic bottles. The second version is the small sealed cups. The third is powdered whitener. Let’s discuss each one individually.
Most creamers found in plastic bottles or tetra packs in the refrigerated section contain dairy whiteners. They typically contain milk, cream and sugar with some flavoring. Because of their high dairy content, they must be kept refrigerated at all costs.
Just like with half-and-half creamer, once you have brought creamer home, it is best to keep it in the refrigerator. When not in use, keep the container closed.
Tetra packs and plastic containers that are found on supermarket shelves are mostly non-dairy items (except canned evaporated dairy milk). Unopened containers can be stored at room temperature. They can be stored in the pantry or in your kitchen. However, keep them away from heat sources such as the stove.
When you open a pack or bottle, it is important to keep it closed and refrigerated. Most of these products are marked “refrigerate following opening.”
Mini sealed cups are easier to use. You can store them at room temperature from the time you purchase the package until you open one cup. Keep the package away from heat.
The powdered coffee whiteners are last but not least. These powdered coffee whiteners are no different to other powdered products such as powdered milk. You just need to make sure that the container is tightly sealed and free from moisture. That’s it.
How long do coffee creamers last?
Let’s do it again.
Refrigerated dairy creamers usually have a best-before or use-by date. You can store an unopened container for a few more days, but that’s it.
Look on the label to see how long the container will keep fresh once it is opened. If the label doesn’t give any specifics, it is safe to assume that the container will keep fresh for between one and two weeks.
Whiteners that are sold unrefrigerated items look very similar. You get a best-by expiration date. If you open it more than a month after that, it will still be fine.
These creamers contain some or all of the following preservatives. They will last a very long time if they are not opened. The liquid should keep its quality for approximately 2 weeks after you open it. You should always check the label to verify that the manufacturer gives specifics.
You will find a date on those little sealed cups. Even if the creamer is dairy, it has a shelf life of around half a years or more. These products are not easily spoiled so it is worth checking the quality of the product, even if it has been a month since the date printed on the label.
Powdered whiteners are last but not least. These powdered whiteners don’t go bad like spices but can lose their taste over time. The label will tell you how long the manufacturer expects that the powder will keep its quality. You can usually use the powder for months after that date.
PantryFridge
| Dairy creamer (sold unopened, refrigerated) | Use-by: 1 - 2 Weeks | |
| Dairy creamer (sold refrigerated and opened). | 1 - 2 Weeks | |
| Non-dairy creamer (sold unsold, unopened), | Best-by + 1 Month | |
| Non-dairy creamer (sold open, unrefrigerated) | 1 - 2 Weeks | |
| Mini coffee creamer cups | Best-by + 1 Month | |
| Coffee creamer in powdered form | Best-by + 3 to 6 Months |
All times are approximate.
How to tell if coffee creamer is bad
Texture change (liquid becoming lumpy, liquid becoming chunky), change in smell (sour, off-odor) and change in taste are all things to watch for when it comes liquid creamers.
You can test the creamer’s taste by taking a teaspoon. Continue to use it if it is good enough. If it’s not, you can throw it away.
You should also be aware of the date on any opened containers. You can throw out any bottles or packs that have been stored for longer than three weeks. Unless the manufacturer specifies that it will be okay for this long.
Watch out for signs of mold and texture changes in powdered creamer. The powder should last for many years unless there was moisture in the packaging.
It is the best way to test the quality of powdered creamer. If the coffee tastes good, the powder is fine. You can throw out the packet if the flavor is not right or the quality is poor.
