How Long Can Coffee Creamer Sit Out?

Creamer is a store-bought powder or liquid that is the substitute for milk products such as half and half cream in coffee or black tea. Coffee creamer is usually dairy-free and instead contains sugar, oil, and thickeners. According to some opinions, creamer makes coffee even better because it contains ingredients: sugar, artificial flavor, and colorings that milk does not. 

Everyone understands that creamer can be used in place of milk because it is generally lactose-free, making it perfect for people who are allergic to milk. Moreover, the big advantage of creamer is the longer the preservation time.  

But to be more specific, how long can coffee creamer sit out? Let’s dive in and figure out more. 

Does coffee creamer need to be refrigerated?

Depends on the type of creamer to decide whether it needs to be refrigerated or not. There are mainly two forms of coffee creamer: liquid and powder. 

The type that must be always stored in the fridge is the liquid coffee creamer once opened, even if it is non-dairy. If not, liquid creamer could turn bad in just a matter of hours, mainly when opened. Because its shelf life after being opened has already decreased, so sold refrigerator dairy creamer once opened only last for about one week or two before the use by the date stored at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.44 degrees Celsius).

To maximize the shelf life, you should put the creamer directly in the main body of the fridge instead of on the fridge door. Because the fridge door is always the warmest part, the coffee creamer cannot reach its longest storage time. On the other hand, if staying unopened, the liquid coffee creamer as sold refrigerated can last for quite a long time. 

hand-pouring-creamer-cup-coffee-on
Hand pouring creamer into a cup of coffee on wooden background

In contrast, powdered creamer does not need to be preserved in cold temperatures to avoid turning spoiled in a short time. 

Although types of creamer stored in the fridge can be used for one to two weeks or even many more, you should enjoy them when it is still at peak quality. 

How long can creamers sit out?

Coffee creamers are divided into dairy-based and non-dairy  (which can be plant-based types).

Most coffee creamers are dairy-free products. That is because they are usually plant-based such as soy milk, oat milk, and any kind of nut milk like cashew milk, coconut milk, and almond milk. 

Milk is also a dairy addiction to coffee as well as creamers but it can not stay unrefrigerated for a long time. Specifically, it only sits out of the fridge for no more than 2 hours. 

Creamer is quite the same as milk in case it is an opened pack of non-dairy coffee creamer. If left out at room temperature, liquid dairy-based coffee creamer will last about 2 hours. Liquid coffee creamer is a perishable commodity that contains a lot of water, so if it is left out for more than 2 hours, bacteria and other microbes will find their way into it and spoil it. 

Besides that, unless put in less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius) at room temperature, the process of spoilage will be quicker. Therefore when buying creamer you are not recommended to leave it for more than an hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Almost all dairy products need to be stored in the refrigerator. Only powdered milk products can be stored in the pantry which is at room temperature. As mentioned, powdered coffee creamer, whether dairy-based or not, can be left out of the refrigerator for a longer time. Due to the lack of moisture which is the ideal environment for bacteria to grow quickly, creamer in powder form can last long. As a result, if preserved properly, you can leave powdered coffee creamer out for up to two years.  

How long is Coffee Mate creamer good for after opening?

 
 
 
 
 
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Coffee-Mate Creamer is one of the biggest brands providing non-dairy coffee creamer. The Coffee Mate is available in multiple flavors, including cinnamon toast crunch, caramel latte, butterscotch latte, pumpkin spice, French vanilla, and many more which are perfect partners for coffee. 

Coffee-Mate also comes both in liquid and powdered forms like most coffee creamers. As described above, the form and status of creamer decisively reveal the way and time of storage. 

If you open a pack of liquid coffee creamer, you should use it immediately or it will be spoiled in just a few hours. Even if you store it in the fridge, it cannot last more than 2 weeks. 

Whereas the liquid variation should not be left out of the fridge for more than a few hours, the unpacked powdered version can sit out for up to two years. 

However, you should note that powdered creamer will also spoil if it gets wet. You need to retain it in an airtight glass jar to avoid moisture exposure after opening it. Remember to keep it dry and away from water and you can have it ready for your drink anytime you wish. 

Note that regardless of what the creamer’s form is, the quality of the flavor and texture will totally decline after being opened. This substantially affects your coffee’s taste.

In conclusion, coffee creamer in liquid form and powdered form can be stored in many ways along with different preservation times. If you store them accurately, they will last as long as possible and give you the best taste within their use-by dates.