You'll quickly notice the shelves of creams and creamer assortments when you stroll down the refrigerated aisle of your favorite grocery stores.
You will see coffee creamer, heavy cream, and half and half are all lined up waiting for grab whether you want to add a hint of sweetness to your cup of joe or you plan to make ice cream at home. These three varieties are the most popular options, but each has its list of culinary uses or purposes.
However, this article takes a closer look at the liquid coffee creamer, it's unique uses, and how to freeze them.
Can you freeze liquid coffee creamer?
Many times I wonder and with my curiosity, I can vouch for this answer, "Yes, you can."
I hope this makes you feel better because there are some days that your favorite liquid creamer isn't available at your local groceries. Of course, you cannot go to your favorite coffee shop all the time, especially during this pandemic. Freezing your brand of liquid creamer is the way to go.
Most liquid dairy coffee creamer manufacturers don't advise consumers to freeze their products. If you freeze non-dairy liquid creamers, you can very well thaw them back to their original texture and taste.
Generally, there are two types of coffee creamers — liquid and powdered. There are also several creamer subtypes, such as fat-free or flavored.
Powdered coffee creamers are the non-dairy types. They don't require freezing because they will stay at their high-quality state for up to two years. Just make sure they are sealed and stored correctly at room temperature.
When you talk about liquid creamer, you should note that it will benefit from refrigeration or freezing. Placing liquid creamers in cold environments ensures that you can use them for an extended period.
If these are the only coffee creamers you use, you should know how to stockpile them the right way.
What are coffee creamers?
Coffee creamer is dairy-free. Most coffee creamers are made of water, sugar, and vegetable oil though ingredients vary by brands. They are heavily processed and loaded with extra sugar, like some popular brands containing up to 5 grams per serving.
Other brands used common additives like carrageenan, cellulose gum, and artificial flavorings to boost coffee creamers' flavor and texture. They are available in powdered, fat-free, sugar-free, or flavored.
On the side note, it is recommended by the American Heart Association to limit our daily intake of extra sugar to no more than 24 grams (equivalent to six teaspoons) for women and 36 grams (nine teaspoons) for men respectively.
Various coffee creamers contain unique and specialized ingredients that allow them to have a longer shelf-life. Before you freeze these coffee companions, you need to consider their components.
Plant-based creamers can be in either powdered or liquid forms.
Yet, even with this classification, it can still be confusing. These creamers do not have lactose, but they may still have a milk protein called casein.
If you run to your grocery store for plant-based creamers, make sure you read their labels carefully. Even if they contain casein, plant-based creamers are still preferred by many as a substitute for milk. They are also more advantageous than milk.
Powdered plant-based creamers can last for an indefinite period without refrigeration, provided you store them in ideal room temperature conditions. These creamers are useful in areas where there are no refrigerators available.
If you get liquid plant-based creamers, you can still store them for a prolonged duration if you don't open them. You don't even have to refrigerate them.
Many people prefer the rich and luscious taste of creamer in their coffee. They still choose to mix creamer into their coffee even if there is full cream milk available. Although plain coffee creamers already bring deliciousness to coffee, there are flavored creamers as well.
A tradition has started in many creamer manufacturers to release seasonal flavors of coffee creamers. The flavored creamer has become available at various times of the year.
How to freeze a coffee creamer
It is not difficult to freeze coffee creamer. Take your creamer and place it in a container in which you can scoop it out easily.
Here are two effective techniques in freezing your liquid creamer:
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- Freeze the creamer in a large container
- Freeze the creamer in small portions
1 Method 1: Freezing the whole container
Most coffee lovers prefer to freeze creamers in their original packaging. There is no issue at all when you do this. Just see to it that you put the date when you started freezing it on the packaging.
Use a marker. If you do this, you can see which bottles you should use first. When you position the bottles in the freezer, see to it that you place the older bottles in front.
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Freezing Creamer in the Bottle
Some people recommend getting all the creamer out of its original container and then transferring the liquid creamer in a larger container that allows more room when the liquid expands. Doing so will prevent the original bottle from bursting.
You don't need to do this. While it is true that water molecules enlarge during the freezing process, some liquids shrink. Liquid creamers are included in the exceptional shrinking liquids. Because of this, you can place liquid creamers in the freezer in their original bottles.
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Label the container
If freezing creamers have become a habit for you, you should never forget to write the freezing date of your bottle of creamer or the batch of creamers. Doing so will prevent you from having unused bottles of creamer in the back of the freezer, sitting there for at least one year.
Having many containers of creamer in your freezer can make you forget about the first batch you froze. Whenever you freeze new creamer bottles, move the old bottles to the front and place the new ones in the back. That way, you can use the earlier bottles you froze first.
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Use within six months
The official length of time for keeping bottles of liquid creamer in the freezer is still unknown. Many people say that you can do so for about half-a-year. But you can always find out the maximum freezing period by experimenting.
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Thaw in your refrigerator
You can thaw a frozen bottle of liquid creamer, just put it in your fridge for at least a day before you use it. Thawing the liquid creamer in your fridge will not expose your liquid creamer to elevated temperatures, which can cause spoiling or bacterial growth.
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Shake before use
When the liquid creamer has thawed fully, shake the bottle first before opening it to ensure its thorough mixing.
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Do not refreeze
Refrain from refreezing creamers after they have thawed and just like anything else, use it within a week.
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2 Method #2: Freezing in Smaller Parts
Dividing the liquid creamer into smaller portions before freezing them is another technique you can consider. You can use ice trays for this technique. By doing so, you can use the amount of creamer that you need for that cup of coffee at any time of day.
How to freeze creamer using ice-cube trays
Creamer ice cubes are convenient, but they do not work. Most modern freezers don't provide the right low temperature to freeze liquid creamer into a solid form. Ultimately, you only end up with a small portion of white slush.
What's the solution?
A practical solution is to combine the creamer with another delicious substance.
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- You can stir some milk or espresso into your creamer, with a 1:1 ratio. This is only applicable to dairy liquid creamers.
Here's what you do:
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- Pour your creamer carefully into your ice cube trays. Be sure you have all the ice cube trays you need before you begin.
- Place the filled trays in your freezer. Wait for two to three hours to make sure your creamer freezes properly.
- Remove the frozen creamer cubes and place them in resealable bags. Make sure to squeeze all the air inside before you seal the bags. Doing so will prolong the shelf life of your creamer cubes even more. You can use a marker to label the bags with their storage dates.
- When you're ready to have some coffee, take a frozen creamer cube from your freezer.
- One cube is suitable for a cup of coffee. If you don't want the cold cube to affect your hot coffee, melt the creamer cube first before adding it to your coffee.
What to do with your creamer ice cubes
There are many possibilities in using frozen creamer cubes. Let us start by making your coffee.
Avoid taking a frozen creamer cube and then adding it into your hot coffee. This will surely make your coffee cold.
To cream your coffee properly, melt and heat your cubes in your microwave first. Doing so will make your creamer perfect for your hot coffee. A simple solution to maximize your creamer cubes.
Other uses of creamer cubes
- For iced coffee, creamer cubes are the best choice. All you need to do is make your iced coffee the way you usually do. Then take your creamer cubes and add them in.
- If you just let your iced coffee stand for a while, the cubes will melt into your coffee, making it creamier and richer. When you put regular iced cubes in iced coffee, the beverage just gets watered down.
- You can also put the creamer cubes in your blender. Then, make a rich and creamy summer drink. Some Bailey's would make a delicious and luscious drink with a kick.
These are just some ideas on how you can use your creamer cubes. You can innovate and come up with your own blends.
How long does a coffee creamer last?
Numerous factors can affect the shelf life of coffee creamers. Such factors are exposure to elements, date of packaging, storage, and processing techniques.
Look at the "use by date" on the creamer's label. This is usually near the expiration date. If the liquid creamer has already gone beyond its date of expiration, you should throw it away.
- If you store your unopened liquid creamer in your fridge, it can last for about five days to one week.
- An opened bottle of liquid creamer can last for two to three days in your fridge if it has already gone beyond the expiration date.
- If you don't store or sealed your liquid creamer properly, its shelf life will surely decrease.
- Don't let the creamer sit somewhere that exposed it to air, heat, sunlight, or moisture. These elements can change your creamer's chemical composition. When this happens, your creamer will spoil quickly.
Coffee beans require a good canister for storage. Similarly, your creamer needs the right container, as well. Pick an airtight container so that air won't enter it. This will protect your liquid creamer from damaging factors such as heat.
How to tell if your coffee creamer has gone bad
- Refrain from using a creamer that has already spoiled. If you do, you might end up with diarrhea or an upset stomach.
- See if your creamer is still fresh by pouring it straight into your coffee. Any coffee will do for this test.
- If the creamer doesn't blend with the coffee at all, it is nearly beyond its expiration date. See if it curdles or forms aerated circles. If it does, pour it straight into your sink.
- The odor is also a sure sign that your liquid creamer has gone bad already. Your creamer will smell sour or foul if you add it to your coffee.
- If you abruptly smell an unsavory aroma from your favorite cup of coffee, pour out your creamed coffee and that bottle of creamer right away. You cannot keep that coffee creamer anymore.
What can I use as a substitute for coffee creamer?
It's somewhat tempting to use commercial coffee creamers that promise low-fat or sugar-free claims, which may trick you they're healthy. These products are loaded with sugar, artificial additives, trans fats, and highly processed products.
The good thing is, natural creamers are aplenty that could provide similar perks plus extra health benefits.
1 Coconut milk
This lactose-free creamer provides the same creaminess similar to that store-bought coffee creamers sans the artificial ingredients. It doesn't matter whether you go for the canned or the carton from the refrigerated section. Check the label and go for the coconut that has the least added ingredients. Or you can follow this recipe to make your own at home.
2 Almond milk
Almond milk is one of my favorite alternatives when it comes to commercial liquid coffee creamers. You can try the vanilla flavor for extra punch and grab the product with fewer ingredients added.
3 Honey and milk
A mix of raw honey and milk gives a sweet kick in your morning cup of Joe plus the fact that you know the ingredients you are adding on your coffee. Besides, you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
4 Make it homemade
Making your coffee creamer at home is a super easy task. You can follow this simple recipe for creating your own.
Related Questions
You can always use coconut creamer the same way you use your regular coffee creamer. You can also freeze it if necessary. Yet, if you freeze coconut creamer, expect a change in its texture. Even so, you can still cream your coffee with it.
If you prefer, you can also make coconut creamer cubes by freezing it in ice trays and then placing the cubes in sealable bags. This allows you to take out as many coconut creamer cubes as you need them without thawing and heating the entire batch.
Ideally, you can freeze half and half cream as well, but you should only freeze it if you're going to use it for cooking. Freezing half and half will likely separate while freezing and thawing. If you want to incorporate frozen half and half into your beverages, make sure you give it thorough whisking after thawing and warming to bring back its uniform consistency.
Even if manufacturers of coffee creamers don't recommend it, you can freeze your coffee creamer for later use.
You can freeze bottles of it or freeze it into cubes and store the creamer cubes in sealable bags. This will be convenient if you want to use just a cube or two without thawing an entire bottle.
Interesting posts
How to Freeze Liquid Coffee Creamer (How to)
Pin RecipeEquipments:
- ice cube tray
Ingredients:
- 1 liquid coffee creamer (32 oz)
- 2 ice cube trays
Instructions:
- Pour your creamer carefully into your ice cube trays. Be sure you have all the ice cube trays you need before you begin.
- Place the filled trays in your freezer. Wait for two to three hours to make sure your creamer freezes properly.
- Remove the frozen creamer cubes and place them in resealable bags. Make sure to squeeze all the air inside before you seal the bags. Doing so will prolong the shelf life of your creamer cubes even more. You can use a marker to label the bags with their storage dates.
- When you’re ready to have some coffee, take a frozen creamer cube from your freezer. One cube is suitable for a cup of coffee. If you don’t want the cold cube to affect your hot coffee, melt the creamer cube first before adding it to your coffee
Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
