There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. You stumble out of bed to pour yourself a cup of the life-saving nectar and try to knock the cobwebs out of your brain. Then you realize that you left the coffee creamer out on the counter overnight and wonder, is it still good?
While deciding whether or not to refrigerate a creamer will depend on the type you purchase, most people agree that it should be, at least after it has been opened. This is because once it is exposed to the open air, bacteria can find its way into the product thus compromising its integrity.
To discover whether you should refrigerate creamer you will need to know what type you use regularly. While most recommend refrigeration, there are others you can leave out for a certain period of time. Read on to learn more about coffee creamers and their requirements.
How Long Can Coffee Creamer Be Left Out of the Fridge?
Most coffee creamers can be left out of the fridge for a few hours at most, depending on the type. Most dairy creamers need refrigeration to remain stable, while non-dairy creamers can survive at room temperature.
The best rule of thumb for coffee creamers, as most connoisseurs would suggest, is to keep it in the fridge whether it calls for it or not. In most cases, the creamer will last longer in the cooler temperature that the refrigerator supplies. Additionally, cold creamers allow your coffee to cool down quicker.
If you are using a dairy based creamer, it is best to follow the same protocol that you would for any other dairy product. When you think about that gallon of milk you just purchased, you would not dream about leaving it on the counter overnight for fear that it would spoil. But if you leave it out for a few minutes or hours, it should be okay.
When you are using a creamer that is non-dairy, the risk of leaving it out has less of a punch even though it is better to keep it refrigerated. Non-dairy creamers are typically okay if left out even overnight, but the less time is always better.
Most people suggest that as your best source of information, you should always read the labels of the creamer you purchase. This is because the label can tell you the type of creamer you are buying as well as any refrigeration requirements that may exist for the product.
Do Single Serve Creamers Need to be Refrigerated?
Single-serve creamers are individually sealed for freshness and typically do not need to be refrigerated. The nature of the packaging allows the product to be shelf-safe for up to six months, in most cases.
These single-serve creamers are most often found in restaurants and in hotel rooms due to their convenience. Additionally, since they are safe from the environmental elements, they do not have to be replaced as often, which makes them cost-effective.
Some coffee drinkers prefer to have these small, single-serve containers at home as well. They are easy to store and grab when you are on the run. In addition, if you do any traveling, these are easier to pack and carry along with you.
Since they also come in a wide variety of flavors, many people find them to be the perfect creamer for those workplaces who provide coffee for their employees or customers. They do not typically have to worry about them going bad, but can provide choices for many people.
While these are typically for a single use, if they are not consumed completely, it is recommended that you store what is left in the refrigerator. Like other creamers, once they have been opened, they may not survive out in the open.
Does Non-Dairy Creamer Need to be Refrigerated?
Most non-dairy creamers are found on the shelf in the grocery store and are deemed to be stable outside of the refrigerator. Once they are opened, non-dairy creamer should be refrigerated as a best practice.
Even though a non-dairy creamer can last for as long as a month at room temperature, once it is opened, refrigeration is required. Once it is refrigerated, it is said to last for up to ten days before it needs to be replaced.
For many people non-dairy creamer options are the only choice due to sensitivities to dairy. Since they are shelf-stable for a longer period of time, this makes it more convenient to stock up and store.
There are also plenty of options when it comes to non-dairy creamer varieties. While some enjoy the options of flavors provided, others like having a variety of types such as almond, soy, coconut, or even oat creamers.
As with other types of creamers, most people recommend that you follow the suggestions of the manufacturer, which, in most cases, is printed on the container. If the grocery store had it in the refrigerator, then it is probably best that you do as well.
Is There a Coffee Creamer That Doesn’t Need to be Refrigerated?
There are some varieties of coffee creamers that do not require refrigeration. Typically, the powdered kind does not require refrigeration, but needs to be stored in a cool dry place.
If you are looking for a coffee creamer that not only tastes good but does not have to be refrigerated, then you may want to consider the powdered version. Many coffee drinkers enjoy this kind for the convenience of not having to keep it in the refrigerator. This can be left on the counter next to your coffee maker, which makes things a lot easier.
For those who like variety, most brands that make powdered creamer offer it in different flavors. Many enjoy flavors such as French Vanilla, Hazelnut, or even their favorite holiday flavors.
For those not fond of the powdered variety, there are some companies that have created non-dairy or lactose-free creamers that, according to them, do not have to be refrigerated. In many of these cases, although refrigeration is recommended after opening, they boast that their creamers are shelf-stable even after they have been opened.
Why Are There Chunks In My Coffee Creamer?
There are many reasons why you may have chunks floating in your coffee creamer. Most often the reason for this is because the creamer has gone bad and needs to be replaced.
Have you ever poured yourself a cup of coffee after needing that punch of caffeine and noticed little white chunks floating around? This happens more times than you think, especially when the creamer you are using goes bad. Keeping a check on your expiration dates can help prevent this from happening, in most cases.
There are other times that the creamer is perfectly fine, as far as the expiration is concerned, but you still have those nasty chunks. The reason for this sometimes is the temperature of the coffee mixed with the dairy in the creamer. Just like when you add sour cream to a hot dish, the coffee creamer can curdle under some circumstances.
Although powdered creamer does not require refrigeration, there are those that decide to do it anyway. In these instances, the cold powder can retain moisture and result in clumps in your coffee. If this happens, these unsightly chunks just float around in your cup and can be quite disgusting to taste.
Whatever the reason for the chunks, there are some things you can do to ensure you get the best cup of coffee you deserve. Here are a few of them:
- Check your expiration dates
- Know what kind of creamer you are purchasing
- If using a dairy creamer, let your coffee cool for a few minutes before adding creamer
- Do not put powdered creamer in the refrigerator
Keep in mind that if you want to avoid chunks in your coffee, you will probably need to do some experimenting to discover the type of creamer that you prefer.
Overall, creating the perfect cup of coffee, for many people, is dependent upon the additives that go into it. If you enjoy putting creamer in your cup of joe, you probably have come across one or more of the issues from above. The important thing to remember is that deciding on the type of creamer that works best for you will make the difference between a great cup of coffee and a bad one.