Unless you are a coffee purist you will probably find yourself drinking that morning cup of joe with a dash of milk or cream. In fact research shows that 65% of coffee drinkers prefer to add sugar or cream to their morning brew rather than drink it black. And that is why we have written this article-to help you wade through the vast amounts of coffee creamers on the market and find the best coffee creamer to add to your morning brew.
What Is Coffee Creamer?
So first off, what is coffee creamer? Coffee creamer (or coffee whitener) comes in the form of a powder or liquid and is commonly added to black coffee in place of milk or cream. Contrary to their name, coffee creamers contain no cream. Most coffee creamers are in fact dairy free and consist of water, sugar (or artificial sweeteners), oil and thickener. A dash of coffee creamer makes your coffee creamy and sweet and reduces the bitterness. Coffee creamers also come in a wide array of flavors, with hazelnut, caramel and vanilla being some of the favorites.
Non-dairy creamer?
As a side note most coffee creamers are described as being non-dairy products. This means that they do not contain lactose so are suitable for those who are lactose intolerant. Many however still contain casein which is a milk derived protein, so are not suitable for those with a milk allergy.
Heavy Cream vs Half-and-Half vs Coffee Creamer
So what is the difference between coffee creamers and other common coffee additives such as heavy cream or half and half?
Coffee Creamer
Coffee creamers are made from a combination of water, sugar and hydrogenated oil, which mimics milk or cream. Coffee creamers taste a lot sweeter than heavy cream or half-and-half, and are commonly flavored. Overall they have a lower fat and calorie content than heavy cream.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream is the thick and high fat cream that rises to the top of fresh milk. It has a thick texture and rich taste when added to coffee. However heavy cream is high in fat and calories.
Half-and-Half
Half-and-half is made by combining equal parts of cream and whole milk. It is similar to milk but more creamier. When added to coffee (sometimes called a Breve Coffee) it has a lighter taste and mouthfeel while still adding a rich, creamy flavor. Half-and-half is lower in fat and calories than heavy cream.
Are Coffee Creamers Bad For You?
Some non-dairy coffee creamers contain hydrogenated oil also known as trans fat. Consuming too much trans fat increases the risk of raising LDL (bad cholesterol) and reducing HDL (beneficial cholesterol). The AHA recommends a daily intake of 2g of trans fat per day. As a reference some coffee creamers contain half of this in one serving! Non-dairy coffee creamers can also be high in sugar and calories whereas black coffee has almost no calories. So overall, the best option is always to drink your coffee black, but if you like myself love a creamy additive, coffee creamers can be a good option. Just make sure you check the nutritional information and opt for one that is low in fat and sugar. There are plenty of low-fat and sugar-free options.
Buying Guide
So what should you consider when you are trying to find the best coffee creamer? Ultimately it comes down to personal preference, and what you are looking for. We have compiled a list of some things to consider before buying.
Powdered vs Liquid Coffee Creamer?
The first thing you will need to consider is what form of coffee creamer you want to get. As mentioned above coffee creamers come in either powder or liquid form. The main difference between the two comes down to how they are stored. Liquid creamers generally have a better taste but need to be stored in the fridge. Powdered creamers, on the other hand, last longer and can be stored in the pantry.
Flavor
Secondly, do you enjoy your coffee spiced up with extra flavors? If so you should opt for a flavored coffee creamer. There are flavors to complement any coffee palate; vanilla, cinnamon, hazelnut, caramel… you name it they’ve got it!
Nutrition
Make sure you check what is in your coffee creamer before buying it. Some creamers can be very high in sugar and fat and adding even a dash can increase the calorie count of your coffee.
Diet
Coffee creamers are a great option if you have specific dietary requirements. They come in a whole range of options from lactose, dairy and gluten free to vegan and keto friendly.
Best Coffee Creamer
Nestle Coffee-Mate French Vanilla
Coffee-Mate is almost a household name when it comes to coffee creamers. They have a wide range of coffee creamers available in both powder and liquid forms. Their French Vanilla flavor is one of their more popular products. This coffee creamer comes in a handy pump bottle that delivers one serving with each pump. A single bottle has 300 servings in it and lasts for 30 days after opening. This liquid creamer is stable at room temperature so there is no need to keep it refrigerated. The creamer makes for a rich and creamy coffee with a hint of vanilla. The only issue some customers have found is that the creamer is quite thick and sticky.
Nestle Coffee-Mate Original Powdered Creamer
Another popular option in the Coffee-Mate range is their original powdered coffee creamer. It has a classic flavor making for a rich and velvety smooth coffee. It blends in quickly and easily to both hot and cold beverages. Being a powder, this creamer is easy to store and has a great shelf life, retaining its flavor for up to 24 months. Overall this coffee creamer is a great option if you are looking for a basic creamer for your workplace, home or to take on your holiday.
Nutpods Dairy-Free Creamer French Vanilla
Best Vegan Coffee Creamer
Nutpods is a great creamer suitable for a whole range of diets; from vegan to keto. This creamer is made from almonds and coconut cream and is sugar free and has zero carbs. It offers a rich, nutty flavor that is not too sweet. Overall this is a great option if you are looking for a healthy creamer that tastes great.
Califia Farms Better Half Keto Coffee Creamer
Best Coffee Creamer For Keto
Califia Farms is another great option if you are looking for a dairy free coffee creamer. They have a range of creamers including a keto creamer, and hazelnut, vanilla and pumpkin spiced flavored creamers. This vanilla keto creamer is made with almond milk, MCT and coconut cream making it vegan friendly. It has low calories, is sugar free and has zero carbs. This creamer makes for a creamy and thick coffee that isn’t too sweet. Overall this is a great option particularly if you are looking for a keto friendly creamer.
Native Joy Coffee Creamer
Native Joy coffee creamer is made from a combination of organic coconut milk powder, chaga mushroom and L-Theanine. If you are not on the health wagon you may find this combination of ingredients a bit obscure and somewhat off putting. However the Chaga and L-Theanine do offer some bonus health benefits. The Chaga mushroom is packed with antioxidants and reduces inflammation while the L-Theanine helps increase focus. In terms of flavor Native Joy has a rich flavor of coconut and vanilla. The powder mixes in easily to both hot and cold beverages. Native Joy also offers a full refund if you don’t love your creamer. The only drawback some customers have found is the high price, but if you don’t mind paying a bit extra we would recommend giving this coffee creamer a go to see if you notice the difference.
Prymal Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
Prymal has a large range of flavored creamers from Pumpkin spice to Cinnamon Dolce, Salted Caramel to Peppermint Mocha. They have received mixed reviews regarding their taste but most customers seem happy with the different flavors. This is a particularly good option if you are looking for a coffee creamer for Keto. Being sugar free it has less than 1g of net carbs making it a good way of still enjoying your coffee without breaking your diet.
Milkademia Fudge Creamer
Milkademia’s Fudge Creamer is a delicious creamer made with a combination of macadamias, coconut and fudge. It produces a rich and creamy flavored coffee. In fact some have given it the accolade of being the creamiest non-dairy creamer. Overall this is a good creamer if you are looking for a dairy free option that tastes delicious.
The Best Coffee Creamer
Overall there are a huge number of non-dairy coffee creamers on the market, and when it comes to finding the best one it really comes down to personal preference. If you are wanting a classic coffee creamer give one of the Coffee-Mate options a go. If you are wanting Vegan creamer, Nutpods or Milkademia are good options. Or if you are looking for a Keto option try Califia or Prymal coffee creamers. It may take a bit of trial and error but you are sure to find one to complement your morning coffee.
