How Long Can Coffee Creamer Sit Out?

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Some coffee drinkers enjoy their brew without any additives, but the majority of us can’t do without a splash of milk or a splash of our preferred creamer. Maybe you’re afraid of becoming sick from using old coffee creamer, or maybe you just want to know how long can coffee creamer sit out before it goes bad.

You’ve found the right place if you’re looking for a simple timeline for when creamer expires, how long it stays fresh, etc. In this article, you’ll learn where and how to keep your coffee creamer supply.

How Long Can Coffee Creamer Sit Out?

Coffee and creamer sitting out

Coffee creamers stored in the refrigerator should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. This is to avoid potentially harmful bacteria from developing at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The dairy components in traditional liquid cream products need refrigeration. Therefore, they need to be kept in a cold spot so that the cream pot doesn’t become a breeding ground for germs.

How often do you use a dairy-free alternative in your coffee? If your coffee creamer calls for refrigeration, however, you must adhere to the guideline. Even dairy-free coffee creamers can go bad and grow germs if they sit around for too long.

Therefore, all refrigerated liquid creamer beverages should be refrigerated within two hours of use. Similarly, coffee concentrate goes bad if not refrigerated, and it’s best to keep it in the fridge.

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Why Shouldn’t Coffee Creamer be Refrigerated?

Coffee creamer has to be kept in the fridge for numerous reasons. Keep chilled coffee creamer in the fridge. However, there are types that can be stored at room temperature.

Nonrefrigerable creams most often come in powder form. Some cream drinks, however, may be kept at room temperature indefinitely.

Still, before you drink any powdered milk, read the label. If the cream has already been opened, check the label to be sure it does not need to be refrigerated.

There are several creams that don’t require refrigeration and may be purchased at any time. Most of these creams may be stored for a few years without spoiling.

Sometimes even longer if kept in the appropriate circumstances.

Most of the time, creams like this aren’t emulsifiable. They are, rather, powders that may be added to your coffee in the morning without worrying about becoming sick.

What is the Shelf Life of a Coffee Creamer?

Creamer for coffee drinks has a short two-hour shelf life and needs to be kept cold.

It’s important to remember that not all liquid creamers require refrigeration. The reason liquid cream is usually served at room temperature is because of this.

If you’re still unsure, though, take a peek at the box. And that’s assuming the cream is served at room temperature. After opening a bottle of cream, you may need to store it in the fridge.

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How Long Can Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer Sit Out

Non-dairy creamer does not necessarily need to be refrigerated, depending on what it says on the container and how it was sold.

A liquid non-dairy creamer sold refrigerated or that states it should be refrigerated after opening usually begins to grow bacteria after about two hours.

Many non-dairy creams require refrigeration, and some that do not. Be sure to read the packaging. If the cream is sold refrigerated, you will need to store it in the refrigerator.

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How Long Can Coffee With Creamer Sit Out

A cup of Bean Juice with cream powder sold at room temperature can generally be stored indefinitely until it expires, usually a year later.

However, coffee with liquid cream or coffee sold refrigerated can only be kept for a maximum of two hours. After this, you will need to throw the cream away.

Otherwise, you risk getting sick or food poisoning from drinking coffee with spoiled cream.

Shelf Life of Coffee With Non-Dairy Creamer

Unlike regular creamer, non-dairy creamer allows coffee to stay fresh for a lot longer than the recommended two hours.

The coffee would be fine for a little over two hours if the non-dairy creamer wasn’t chilled. There won’t be any negative consequences.

If the non-dairy creamer was shipped cold, however, the brewed coffee should be chilled no more than two hours after preparation.

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How Long Can Coffee With Dairy Creamer Sit Out

Barista pouring latte art into a cup

Even if the milk foam was delivered cold, the coffee would only be good for about two hours before it went stale.

When in doubt about the coffee shop’s creamer, just ask the barista.

However, many coffee houses employ cold dairy products to create froth and creaminess in their beverages. This means that powdered coffee creamers are rarely utilized. It’s better to drink it up within a few hours, as after that point, you’ll either need to put it in the fridge or throw it out.

Shelf Life of Coffee With Powdered Creamer

Coffee creamer in powdered form has a lengthy shelf life and won’t make you ill. Although it is unclear how long coffee may be stored in such a manner. Coffee creamer in powder form has a long shelf life and is unlikely to deteriorate before its expiration date.

Powdered coffee creamers don’t need to be refrigerated as soon as liquid or perishable creamers, but you should still use prudence and common sense.

Creamed coffee should not be consumed if it has been sitting out for more than a day. Most people think that even black coffee that has been kept for that long should be thrown out.

Will Creamer Go Bad if Left Out

Creams that state they must be refrigerated after opening should be thrown away immediately if left overnight.

If you drink a coffee with a creamer that has been left at room temperature overnight, you may have a problem. At room temperature, all sorts of harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning can grow in a coffee cream that should be refrigerated.

If you consumed cream that you think was spoiled, watch for the following signs of food poisoning:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Cramps
  • Mild fever
  • Weakness
  • Loss of appetite

How Do You Know if Creamer is Spoiled

There are probably similar telltale symptoms of spoilage in cream as there are in milk, such as clots, a foul smell, and a bad flavor. Creamer should be discarded if any of these are found in it, especially after sitting for more than two hours. It can cause serious illness.

Keep in mind that a change in color, consistency, or flavor does not imply that your coffee creamer powder has curdled or developed an unpleasant odor.

However, expired coffee creamer powder is unlikely to taste as good or be as effective as it once was. Depending on how old the coffee creamer powder is, consuming it might result in stomach ache if it includes dairy ingredients.

Coffee creamer that’s been sitting around for a while might really make you sick. If the coffee creamer has gone bad, it might make you sick even if it doesn’t include any dairy ingredients.

If you want to know how long your coffee creamer will last, check the label. Just because you bought your coffee creamer at room temperature doesn’t mean you can leave it out of the fridge.

Final Thoughts on How Long Can Coffee Creamer Sit Out

Different types of coffee creamers have different shelf lives. Creamers that need to be refrigerated should be done so no later than two hours after being used.

Some liquid and powdered creamers are not like this. Creamers should be stored according to the manufacturer’s directions for maximum freshness.

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Featured Image Credit: Alberto Bogo, Unsplash