I think it’s safe to say that many of us agree that a day isn’t complete without a steamy cup of coffee. In fact, estimates show that approximately three out of every four Americans consume at least one cup of joe daily. According to the same survey, only about 41 percent of those folks prefer to drink it black. (I, for one, definitely fall among the other 59 percent that enjoy their brews with either dairy or non-dairy milk creamers and additions, of which, there’s no shortage of options.)
Although going through a carton of the best coffee creamer within a few days typically isn’t an issue in my household—considering I tend to add perhaps a little too much at a time—it still begs the question: When does coffee creamer expire? This is especially relevant if you’ve been making daily trips to the local coffee shop more often than usual (hi, PSL season), and your fave healthy coffee creamer has been sitting untouched for a little longer than it normally does.
So, how can we really ensure our creamer is still safe to drink besides taking a big ol’ whiff of it? We spoke with a food safety expert and a registered dietitian, who spilled the tea, so your morning coffee doesn’t come along with a floating glob of curdled milk. Not fun.
If you or a loved one accidentally drinks some expired coffee creamer, there’s no need to panic. But be warned: this is only when you consume a small amount of the expired product. You might experience mild stomach ache, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or nausea, but they will gradually pass with time.
Do non-dairy creamers last longer than dairy creamers?
Although you’ll want to inspect the texture, smell, and taste of dairy and non-dairy creamers to determine spoilage, Craig notes that non-dairy creamers will tend to last a little longer than most dairy creamers. “Yes, generally [non-dairy creamers] will have a longer shelf life. Dairy normally only lasts a few weeks or even days without opening, while you can go much longer without the dairy,” he says.
So, what is coffee creamer made of anyway?
Creamer is the liquid or powder commonly added to coffee or tea in the place of milk and like products such as cream and half-and-half. Creamers were first introduced back in the mid-1940s when an employee of the food corporation, Rich Products, set out to create a soy cream that wouldn’t curdle when mixed with coffee. But it wasn’t until 1961 when Nestlé revolutionized the industry with their powdered dairy-free coffee creamer.
While the ingredients and flavors vary by brand, most creamers contain the base of water, sugar, and vegetable oil. “Most non-dairy creamers that are made from alternative milk include gellan gum, which is an ingredient that helps to stabilize, thicken and bind the ingredients,” shares Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert for plant-based pea milk, Ripple, and author of Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen. With extra processing and sugars in comparison to milk or alt-milks, creamers are popular due to their sweet taste and ability to “balance the coffee’s acidity, and add body and flavor,” says food scientist Makenzie Bryson Jackson.
Liquid creamers come in both the cold and room-temperature sections in the grocery store, but both need refrigeration after opening. The main differences between them are in the ingredients and packaging. “Shelf-stable products are packaged in aseptic containers, which means that there are no bacteria in the packaging itself that can cause the product to spoil,” Largeman-Roth says.
Can You Drink EXPIRED Coffee?
FAQ
How long is coffee creamer good after expiration date?
Can Coffee-Mate creamer spoil?
Is Coffee-Mate creamer bad for you?
How long is International Delight creamer good for?
Can you drink expired coffee creamer?
You shouldn’t! Drinking expired coffee creamer carries with it the following health risks including food poisoning. Since expired creamer is a lot more acidic than the stuff is when it isn’t expired, all that acid can manifest in a painful bout of acid reflux or heartburn.
Is milk safe to drink one day after it has expired?
Milk is usually safe one day after it has expired, but this also depends on which is the general appearance, flavour and taste of the milk. Milk expiration date is defined by food quality specialists after studying the most safe limit for its consumption and they also consider timelines regarding the moment where taste, smell and colour are affected since the milk is packaged in the factory. Usually after the expiration date there are more chances of having a product with a higher bacteria development, plus flavour, taste and colour changes. This is the main reason for expiration date recommendation, but this does not mean that it will be always unsafe one day after the expiration date.
What happens if you drink expired Creamer?
Drinking expired creamer can lead to nausea, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, acid reflux, and vomiting, so it’s just not worth doing. Err of the side of caution when it comes to what you are putting in your body. We hope this article helps you avoid expired creamer!
How do I know if my Coffee Creamer has expired?
If so, that’s a clear sign that your coffee creamer has expired and should be thrown away. That’s also the case if you notice that the hue of the coffee creamer is blue-ish. Yes, we said blue-ish. As we’re sure we don’t have to tell you, no matter the flavor of coffee creamer, from vanilla to hazelnut or cinnamon, it should never be blue.