When purchasing groceries for your house, one of the things that you must check is the expiration date.
You will not get a product that will likely expire sooner, especially if you buy in bulk.
On the other hand, there are some food items that you can use even after the date of expiration.
Consuming expired coffee creamer can make you experience food poisoning. As a result, you will experience some side effects. Hence, using expired coffee creamer in your coffee is not encouraged.
Continue reading the blog to gain in-depth knowledge on the outcomes of consuming the expired product.
Why Do You Use Coffee Creamers?
Coffee creamer is a pre-packaged product that can lighten and sweeten your drink. People use creamer in their tea, espresso, and black coffee. Coffee creamer will enhance the taste of your coffee.
People with lactose intolerance can use dairy-free coffee creamer when preparing coffee.
This product is an excellent alternative to milk. Most coffee creamers are dairy-free, there are also dairy-based products.
Plain coffee will taste bitter, so you can use coffee creamer to lessen the bitterness. It will add extra sweetness to your coffee.
Is There An Expiration Date On Coffee Creamer?
Similar to many other packaged food items, coffee creamer will also contain an expiration date. This date will differ according to the type of coffee creamer.
Since there are powder and liquid coffee creamers, the expiration dates will vary.
As previously mentioned, there are non-dairy and dairy-based coffee creamers. As a result, the expiration date will also vary depending on the ingredients used.
What Is Shelf Life Of Powdered Coffee Creamer?
Powered coffee creamers will have a longer shelf life compared to liquid creamers.
The shelf life of powdered creamer is approximately 1–3 years.
The expiration date will change according to the brand. As a result, even if the expiration date has passed, you can still use them.
What Is The Shelf Life Of Liquid Coffee Creamer?
The liquid coffee creamers have a shelf life of 6 months.
If you store the creamer unopened, it may last a month past the expiration date. In contrast, once opened, the liquid coffee creamer will be good for around one to two weeks when refrigerated.
Suppose you have purchased the diary-based liquid creamer, then the shelf life of the opened and unopened products will be one to two weeks.
Store the opened and unopened dairy-based liquid creamer in the fridge.
Once you open the liquid creamer, the shelf life will drop to 5- 10 days.
These estimated expiration periods may vary according to the product and brand.
Assume that you have purchased a shelf-stable dairy creamer. In that case, you can store the unopened product at room temperature.
Will Coffee Creamer Go Bad?
Yes, non-dairy and dairy-based coffee creamers will go bad.
Some people believe that non-dairy powdered coffee creamer will not go bad.
In contrast, the powdered creamer will also go bad. If you notice changes in the product, it is better to avoid using coffee.
In the article’s next section, you learn how to identify a bad coffee creamer.
How to Identify a Bad Coffee Creamer
Expiration Date
First, check the expiration date of the product. The expiration date is just an estimate of how long the creamer will be good to use.
As previously mentioned, the creamer will remain good even past the expiration date.
Before using the creamer, double check the expiration date.
If the date is too close or outdated, purchasing a new bottle will be a good idea.
You can use the creamer if it has recently passed its expiration date. Before using such products, you must check the factors below to ensure they are usable.
Sniff Test
Imagine you have recently bought a creamer. Although there is more time to expire, you need to figure out the quality of the product.
In such a situation, before using it, smell the creamer to verify if it contains any unpleasant odors. If it smells like fresh creamer, you are good to go.
Whereas, if there is any trace of an unpleasant smell, it is a sign that the coffee cream is bad.
Texture and consistency
Suppose you have a liquid creamer. Pour it into a clear glass to check if there is a change in color or other factors.
Usually, if the dairy-based liquid creamer goes bad, you can notice milk curdling, slight color changes, and a silky consistency.
If so, do not use the product. Toss it in the trash.
Have you bought powdered coffee creamer? You can use it for a long time, but the creamer goes bad. The signs of an expired powdered creamer are mold growth, lumps, etc.
Taste
Another factor you can use to test the quality of your coffee creamer is the taste.
You might know how a fresh creamer tastes.
If the coffee creamer is not good, the taste will be slightly sour.
Using a small spoon, try a few drops of the creamer. If you feel the taste is odd, throw the product away.
What Happens When You Consume Old Coffee Creamer?
Coffee is an essential beverage to keep yourself energized and warm.
Imagine you decided to make a cup of coffee on a cold day with extra sweetness. You added the coffee creamer without checking the expiration date.
After drinking the coffee, you feel an oddness that triggers you to check the creamer’s expiration date.
There is still time for the creamer to expire, but you remember that you stored the opened bottle in the fridge almost a week ago.
Alas! You realize the product is expired!
Do not panic in such situations. The expired coffee creamer will not cause severe effects, but there is a high possibility for minor digestive issues.
Symptoms of Drinking Old Coffee Creamer
Here are some symptoms you may experience after drinking the expired coffee creamer.
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal Pain
- Bloating
Suppose you experience these mild signs of food poisoning, then immediately check with the doctor.
They will provide professional medications if needed. Since spoiled coffee creamer tastes sour, everyone would identify it quickly, so there is less chance of drinking a cup with bad creamer.
Methods to Increase the Shelf Life of Coffee Creamers
The brand
Check the brand of the creamer. Some brands use preservatives that will increase the shelf life of the product.
Hence, if you purchase such a brand, you can store the creamer for a longer period of time.
Storage
The method of storing coffee creamer will also affect its shelf life. Hence ensure to store it adequately.
Powered Creamer Storage
Most of the powdered coffee creamer will stay good at room temperature. To extend shelf life, place the container away from moisture.
When taking the creamer powder, use a dry spoon to reseal the container tightly.
Storing liquid Creamer
In comparison, you will have to keep the liquid creamer in the fridge to increase its shelf life.
After opening a dairy-based creamer, you can pour it into a bag, release access air and freeze it. This way, you can keep it for a longer period of time.
NOTE: Portioning the creamer and freezing it in separate bags will simplify the work. Rather than thawing the entire container, you can get a portion and use it.
Do Not Toss Out Old Coffee or Creamers!
If you have an expired bottle of coffee creamer or the expiration date is approaching, please read this before discarding it!
Following are a few recipes that you can try with coffee creamer. Before using the creamer, ensure that it tastes good.
Freezing
Pour the coffee creamer into an ice cube tray and freeze it well. Then remove the cubes, put them in a container, and store them in the freezer.
You can use these cubes when preparing iced coffee, smoothies, or even hot coffee.
Overnight Oat Meal
Into a jar, add some oats, liquid creamer, and fruits. Close the container and leave it to soak overnight.
The following day, you can have it for breakfast.
Whipped Topping
You can use liquid creamer and powdered sugar as an alternative for whipped cream topping.
Adding flavor to this topping will enhance its taste.
French Toast
You can also use the whipped topping made using liquid creamer when making French toast.
The flavors of the whipped topping will make the toast delicious.
Final Thoughts
The expiration date printed on the label is a rough estimation of how long the product will be safe to use.
Coffee creamer will also have an expiration date, but you can use it even after the passing date.
Depending on the brand and type of creamer, you can decide whether the expired creamer is safe for consumption.
When using expired creamer, it is best to heat it since heating can kill bacteria.
If you find any change in the creamer’s color, smell, or taste, then throw it in the trash.
FAQs
Is Coffee Creamer Healthy?
There are both healthy and unhealthy coffee creamers.
As a result, you must examine the ingredients to ensure that the product is safe. Almond milk creamer and coconut milk creamer are some healthy creamer options.
Powdered creamer is unhealthy because it contains a lot of sugar and chemicals.
Will Freezing Extend the Shelf Life of the Creamer?
Yes, by freezing the creamer, you can extend its shelf life.
Will Spoiled Coffee Creamers Make Me Sick?
Yes, there are high chances of food poisoning. It is preferable to avoid consuming spoiled coffee creamer.
Should I Refrigerate the Dairy-based Creamer?
Yes. It is best to refrigerate the dairy-based creamer.
Can I Place the Coffee Creamer on The Countertop?
Yes. If you use powdered creamer, you can place it at room temperature.
Some liquid creamers will stay good when stored at room temperature. You cannot put some liquid creamer on the countertop.
