Numerous coffee all over the world prefer their coffee black but there are also people who enjoy really creamy and milky drinks.
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For years, people thought it was impossible to be vegan and have some creamy coffee. Creamers tended to be diary-based which meant that they were not an option for vegans.
However, the modern food industry has a rich variety of vegan products, including a whole bunch of various coffee creamer with some pretty much creative options. There are even some recipes that you can use to make a vegan coffee creamer on your own. You can use some simple recipes or get creative and choose extravagant options to enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee brewed in your premium stainless steel coffee maker.
In this article, we have gathered some essential info about vegan coffee creamer, products available on the market, and even some cool recipes.
What Is a Vegan Coffee Creamer
Coffee creamer is similar to cream but it is lighter and usually at least dairy-free. It is used as an additional ingredient for coffee drinks in order to make its flavor fuller and softer. Creamers are also called half-creams or half-and-half. Nowadays, manufacturers offer a wide range of coffee creamers with lots of tasty options such as Sweet Cream, Caramel, Irish Crème, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Pumpkin Spice, Toffee, Hazelnut, Walnut, Chocolate, etc.
In order, a creamer can be considered vegan, it should be absolutely animal-free including such by-products as casein, whey powder, modified milk and any types of dairy by-products. The fastest way to learn whether your creamer is vegan or not is to look at the allergy info on the packaging. It indicates if the product contains any eggs, milk, or shellfish that are not vegan ingredients.
Of course, if you are a real coffee purist, there is a small chance you would like to “ruin” your perfect coffee brew with some creamer. Nevertheless, there are lots of people enjoy a cup of creamy, delicate drink made with the world’s best dual coffee maker. Lots of them really need a good vegan coffee creamer that will not spoil their morning drink making it tasteless. A good coffee creamer can transform your coffee into a rich but still delicate drink with unforgettable flavor.
When it comes to non-dairy and dairy-based coffee creamers, you will be absolutely surprised by how many great options you can find. At the same time, when it comes to vegan creamers, it can be harder to find an option that will provide you with almost the same taste as traditional creamers. To make it easier for you, we have prepared for you some useful facts and tips so keep reading. Just read this article, find your perfect vegan coffee creamer, and pick a stovetop espresso maker for rich flavor coffee.
Benefits of Using a Vegan Coffee Creamer
Speaking of vegan coffee creamers, some people have lost of doubts when it comes to this product. However, the truth is that there are numerous benefits of using vegan coffee creamers
Healthy By-Products
Plant-based creamers contain a whole bunch of healthy and valuable ingredients such as different vitamins, trace elements, macrocells, minerals, fatty acids, protein and so on.
Allergen-Free
Most vegan coffee creamers are great for people who are allergic to dairy products or just do not like them.
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Easy to Make
Some types of vegan coffee creamers can easily be made at home without expensive ingredients and supplies. Also, there are options that can be made with just some simple items you have in your kitchen.
Easily Digestible
Vegan creamers are well-digestible and they do not cause any issue with your digestible system. It is great for elderly people and those who have problems with digestion.
Variety of Options
The modern market offers an incredible variety of vegan coffee creamers made of different plants such as soy, coconuts, almond, and so on. Also, most manufacturers offer creamers with different tastes such as chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut, and so on.
Can Be Used for Cooking
You can add coffee creamers to your coffee to change its taste. However, it is not the only way to use this product. You can use it while cooking different dishes.
How Does a Vegan Coffee Creamer Work
Most coffee creamers are made of rice, soy, or almond. However, they usually cannot completely replace traditional creamers and provide the same flavor. These creamers are rather thin, tasteless and they cannot improve your coffee taste.
Lately, most manufacturers noticed the problem and started to look for the best coffee creamers to make your coffee cup better. Nowadays, vegan and dairy-free products can be found in regular shops, big supermarkets, and even an online store. Depending on the plant used for product production, coffee creamers may have a different flavor, thickness, and so on. Some great vegan coffee creamer with instant coffee roasting brings out the flavor of your morning coffee significantly.
Soy Milk to Replace 2% or Whole Milk
If you are looking for something as thick and full as 2% milk, soy-based products are perfect for you. While almond milk and creamers are more common, soy creamer can guarantee you that your coffee will not become watery. In other words, one package of soy creamer or milk contains more beans than the number of almonds.
In other words, if you are looking for a vegan alternative to your regular whole milk, you should give preference to soy-based milk and creamers.
Cashew Milk to Replace 1% Milk
If you are looking for some full-bodied creamer that is not as thick as a soy one, cashew milk or creamer can be exactly what you are looking for. While being as low-fat as almond creamers, cashew ones are thicker and creamier.
Almond Milk to Replace Skim or Fat-Free Milk
Among all the available nut-based creamers, almond one is for sure one of the lightest and softest. In fact, it is pretty much similar to skim milk.
Types of Vegan Coffee Creamers
When it comes to coffee creamers, there are two main types of them. The first type is powdered coffee creamers and the second is liquid ones. The main difference between these types is the way how they should be stored.
Powdered Coffee Creamer
Powdered creamers are made with the help of dehydration. As you may suggest, it is a powder that dissolves in water. This type of coffee creamers can be stored just in your kitchen cabinet or any other dark, cool place. You just need to make sure that the package is closed properly and there is no humidity.
Liquid Coffee Creamer
Liquid creamers are similar to regular milk. The usually sold in cardboard packaging and should be stored in a fridge. The point is that these creamers spoil faster.
Ingredients to Avoid in Vegan Coffee Creamers
When it comes to vegan coffee creamers you need to keep in mind that diary-free is not the same as a vegan. In most cases, dairy-free creamers can not be considered vegan. The point is that they may contain some ingredients of animal origin. Below, there are several ingredients you should pay attention to when looking for vegan creamers.
Casein or Caseinate
While most people think that milk is mainly about lactose, there are other components you should be aware of. One of them is casein as well as caseinate derived from cow’s milk. No vegan product can contain one of these proteins.
You may find a whole bunch of “lactose-free”, “dairy-free,” “dairy alternative,” or similar creamers but it is likely none of them is vegan. The reason is that they usually contain casein.
Sugar Process With Bone Charcoal
In some cases, coffee creamers may contain sugar that is produced with bone charcoal. The problem is that it is harder to find and check this info as there are some vegan creamers that contain much sugar.
There are only several companies that provide information about the sources of sugar used in their creamers. You need to read carefully product description and ingredients when choosing your creamer. However, the safest bet is to give preference to unsweetened options.
Carrageenan
Some coffee creamers may contain carrageenan that is a vegan alternative for gelatin. Of course, it is absolutely vegetable and made of seaweeds however there are some concerns related to its safety.
According to some researches, it may cause some pretty serious diseases. It may even cause ulcers and cancer. Of course, there is no 100% proven information so it is better to avoid it at all.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is known for its great fat content that may affect your cardiovascular system. It is a source of numerous harmful elements. At the same time, some researches show that it can be rather healthy if it is a part of a balanced healthy diet.
How to Choose the Best Vegan Coffee Creamer
Nutritional Value
Using some coffee creamer to add flavor to your morning coffee, you need to keep in mind that it will for sure increase the nutritional value of your drink. Even the slightest amount of coffee creamer can add an incredible amount of calories to each cup. If you are going to lose some weight or follow a diet, you should be really careful when choosing a coffee creamer.
To say the truth, a regular coffee creamer can contribute the most part of your daily calories. However, vegan creamers have fewer calories. Nevertheless, they are still rather nutritional. If you are following a diet, it is better to avoid fat creamers even if they can provide you with that incredibly rich and thick flavor. Even if it is a vegan Creamer it may still be pretty fat so you need to make sure that your coffee creamer matches your diet.
No one says that you should forget about coffee creamers as the modern market offers a variety of options including low-fat ones.
Fat-Free
Even if there is a huge “fat-free” or “low calorie” sign on the packaging of coffee creamer, make sure to double-check the information. Read the list of ingredients properly to sure there are no harmful fat ingredients such as hydrogenated oil that leads to the increase of bad cholesterol.
According to the laws, if there are less than 0,5 grams of fat per serving, a manufacturer may mark it as fat-free. One important point is that the volume of your coffee portion determines the volume of one creamer serving. As standards claims, you can add at least 2 tablespoons of a Creamer per 12 oz. of coffee.
Portion Control
When it comes to portions and packages, each brand has its specific issues. Some offer big packages so you can decide on the amount of creamer you want to add. Others offer individual capsules, pods, and sachets that contain a certain amount of creamer required for one cup of coffee.
It should be mentioned that bulk packages are better in several ways. First of all, it is more economic for both manufacturers and consumers. Secondly, it is better when it comes to environmental issues. Nevertheless, there is a huge disadvantage. Using a bulk package, you have less portion control and can get more Creamer than necessary.
In other words, if you pay attention to your daily calorie intake, you should give preference to individual pods of coffee creamer. Just make sure to choose those that have a package made of recyclable and environmental-friendly materials. You can place them in one of those holders for coffee pods so you can easily get one any time you want.
Mix and Match
As we have already said, there is an incredible selection of coffee creamers in the modern market. The point is that each option has its advantages and disadvantages. If you have the one you like and constantly use, there is a huge chance that you may be obligated to look for another option after changing your coffee brand or roast.
The reason is that your regular coffee creamer may not be as suitable with some new coffee because their tastes do not match each other. In this case, you need to be creative and experiment with some other creamers so you can find the most suitable one.
Also, consider finding several vegan coffee creamers that match your coffee. It is a great idea to have various options in case your favorite one is out of stock. In such a situation, you will not be obligated to sacrifice the taste of your drink as you can always get an alternative creamer that goes well with your coffee.
How to Make a Homemade Vegan Coffee Creamer
As we have mentioned before, you can always make some vegan coffee creamer on your own. Below, there are several great recipes of vegan coffee creamers that you can make at home using some regular products and supplies.
Vegan Coffee Creamer With Coconut Milk
This creamer has a very rich flavor and thick texture that will make your coffee taste incredible.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of full-fat coconut milk
Directions:
- Take a can of full-fat coconut milk;
- Place it in the saucepan;
- Heat the milk for several minutes;
- Add your homemade vegan creamer to your coffee ;
- Enjoy the rich flavor and texture of your coffee.
Vegan Coffee Creamer With Almond Milk
This recipe is perfect for those who used to add some almond milk to their daily cup of coffee.
Ingredients:
- Almond milk
Directions:
- Use some regular almond milk;
- Heat the milk in a saucepan;
- Wait until the texture becomes more smooth and thick;
- Add your creamer to the coffee and enjoy the naturally sweet taste and great texture.
Banana Bread Coffee Creamer
This Banana Bread Coffee Creamer recipe may be one of the strangest vegan creamers recipes but believe us it is absolutely worth your attention. It will for sure spice your coffee and make it amazing.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups canned coconut milk
- 2 cups almond milk
- 4 dates, presoaked in water and drained
- 1 overripe banana
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
- Peel a banana and put it into a blender;
- Add dates and blend everything until the mixture becomes smooth;
- Add other ingredients and blend it for another minute;
- Make sure there are no lamps and put the mixture into a jar;
- Put the jar into the refrigerator so you can add to your coffee later.
Caramel Vanilla Coffee Creamer
This homemade vegan coffee creamer is absolutely great for those who enjoy sweet and even slightly savory coffee instead of a bitter one. In fact, it can even change your attitude towards your regular coffee.
Ingredients:
- ½ Cup Coconut Palm Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Water
- ½ Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- ½ Cup Coconut Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
Directions:
- Add the coconut water and sugar to a saucepan and place it on medium heat;
- Whisk the mixture constantly until the sugar dissolves completely;
- Wait until it starts boiling and let it boil for about 2 minutes;
- Reduce the heat and add coconut and almond milk;
- Whisk the mixture properly until its color becomes caramel;
- Switch off the heat and add stir it in the vanilla;
- Wait until it is completely cool and pour the mixture into a jar that you can keep in your fridge for about 2 weeks.
Slow Cooker Apple Spice Creamer
If you like apples and spices, this vegan coffee creamer recipe is a perfect option for you. It is perfect for fall so you can enjoy warming aroma drinks in the comfort of your home. It will for sure make your morning brighter especially if it is cold and cloudy outside. Just do not forget to pour your morning coffee in a warm mug.
Ingredients:
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 cup peeled and diced apple (about 1 large apple)
- 8 small dates
- 4 whole cinnamon sticks
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients and put them in a slow cooker;
- Cook for 4 hours using high heat or for 8 hours if you prefer a low heat;
- After removing cinnamon sticks, place the mixture in your blender;
- Blend everything until the mixture is completely smooth;
- Pour the mixture into a jar and store for a week in your fridge.
Vanilla Nut Coffee Creamer
The Vanilla Nut Coffee Creamer is one of the simplest vegan coffee creamers you can make at home. You need just some simple ingredients and regular supplies you for sure have in your kitchen. Moreover, it is very tasty and cool. You can add to your coffee when making a drink in your durable stainless steel mug for coffee.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Vanilla Almond Milk (vanilla soy milk would work too)
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- 15 dates
Directions:
- Soak dates and cashews in water for 30 minutes and then drain them well;
- Put all the ingredients in a blend;
- Blend everything properly until the mixture is absolutely smooth and even.
Most Popular Vegan Coffee Creamer Brands
As you already know, there are numerous vegan coffee creamers on the market. You can choose one of them and find the one that meets your requirements. However, we think you want to make sure that you have the best coffee creamer that is really tasty and absolutely healthy. Below, we have gathered information about the most popular and high-quality vegan coffee creamers in the modern market.
Nutpods
Nutpods is a vegan, dairy-free coffee creamer that is made of almonds and coconuts. The manufacturer uses high-quality ingredients to produce great creamer.
The producer offers three creamer options that are Original, Hazelnut and French Vanilla. All creamer of this brand is unsweetened. At the same time, Hazelnut and French Vanilla creamers may still be slightly sweet.
The greatest thing about this creamer is that it is well-balanced and has a rich but still rather soft flavor that can make your coffee better instead of spoiling it. In other words, it complements your coffee perfectly so you can enjoy the taste of your coffee instead of creamer.
According to the reviews, Nutpod creamers are much creamier than most vegan and even dairy coffee creamers on the market. It can provide you with a full-bodied drink that is not only tasty but also absolutely healthy.
Nutpod creamers are absolutely perfect for people who prefer a full-bodied drink with slightly sweet taste and rich aroma.
So Delicious
So Delicious producers vegan coffee creamers that are made of either coconuts or almonds. One important thing is that the company uses Non-GMO Project Verified nuts for their products. Among the most popular products, there are the Original Almond Milk Creamer and French Vanilla Almond Milk Creamer.
Both of these products are known for their light and rather pleasant almond aftertaste. The French Vanilla creamer is rather sweet so it is likely you do not need any additional sweetener like sugar. By the way, if you look for something to sweeten your coffee, syrup for coffee acts as a sweetener as well.
According to the reviews, So Delicious creamers have a rather dense and thick texture. It may not be as thick as some traditional creamers but still, they are very good. One other thing about these creamers is that they may settle to the bottom of your cup if you wait for too long to drink your coffee. In any case, So Delicious creamers are a great alternative to traditional dairy creamers due to its smooth and thick texture
Coconut Cloud
Coconut Cloud is a vegan powdered coffee creamer. While being rather light, this creamer is really full-bodied and rich. At the same time, it perfectly complements your coffee without affecting its taste. It has only some slight coconut aftertaste that is rather pleasant.
Lots of people prefer Coconut Cloud creamer as there is no flavor that can influence your coffee. In other words, you can enjoy a pure taste of your brew instead of almond or coconut.
According to some reviews, you need to add several scoops of this creamer if you want to achieve the same texture traditional creamers have. Also, some people mention the problem of lumps that requires some time to deal with. In any case, most consumers claim that it is a great replacement for traditional creamers due to its full-bodied text.
If you are looking for a creamer with as little taste as possible, it is exactly what you need. Also, you can carry it with you if you are traveling, hiking, or going for a picnic.
Califia Farms
Califia Farms produces a wide range of non-dairy and vegan coffee creamers for those who want to boost their morning cup of coffee. Their creamers are made of a mixture of almond and coconut milk but the title on the packaging mentions only the second one. By the way, you can also improve your coffee’s consistency with a pour-over kettle. Moreover, with some reusable filters in some pour-over coffee makers, you can brew a great cup of coffee and save your money to buy an extra package of your favorite vegan creamer.
One of the most popular coffee creamers’ series produced by Califia Farms is a “Better Half” series. It is made of a mixture of almond and coconut milk mixed in equal parts. The series includes both sweetened and unsweetened options.
According to the most reviews, the unsweetened creamers are the best as they have a rather good but not too strong and overpowering taste. Some consumers even compare its taste with a vanilla ice cream.
There are people that say that it lacks some creamy texture but most people are sure that it is a perfect way to make your everyday coffee cup much better.
In any case, it is a great alternative for your traditional coffee creamer. It has a good taste and rich texture so if you are looking for vegan coffee creamer, you for sure should give it a try.
Does More Spending Mean More Quality
In most cases, prices for vegan coffee creamers are pretty much the same. They may vary depending on the brand, base products, and volume. It hardly has something in common with the quality. The only point is that cheaper creamers may have a less thick and rich texture. Nevertheless, the difference in price is really small and hardly reaches $2 at maximum. In other words, you need to spend $3-5 for the same amount of creamer.
You need to know that powdered creamers are a little bit cheaper than liquid ones. The reason is that they are more natural. However, the difference is still pretty small.
Do’s and Don’ts With Vegan Coffee Creamers
Do’s
- Carefully check the list of ingredients when choosing a vegan coffee creamer;
- Make sure to follow storage requirements properly;
- Be careful with portions.
Don’ts
- Never buy creamers that contain strange or harmful ingredients;
- Do not use more creamer than you need;
- Do not afraid of getting creative and adventurous and look for your favorite vegan creamers.
FAQ About Vegan Coffee Creamers
We have tried to provide you with as much information about vegan coffee creamers as possible. Nevertheless, if you still have some questions about it, there are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers in the section be.
What is the healthiest non-dairy coffee creamer?
If you are looking for a really healthy non-dairy coffee creamer, it is better to give preference to vegan options. The reason is that just dairy-free creamers may have milk by-products and even some harmful additions.
Is coffee mate creamer vegan?
When it comes to Coffee Mate it is more dairy-free than vegan. This creamer contains no lactose or real cream but still, there are some other derived proteins. In other words, it is 100% not vegan.
Does coffee creamer make you gain weight?
The fact is that even vegan coffee creamers can contain lots of calories. For example, 1 tablespoon of nonfat milk contains about 5 calories and the same amount of a coffee creamer may contain as much as 10 or even 20 calories. It means that using it, you can add a good amount of calories to your daily diet. Nevertheless, it has much fewer calories than traditional creamers.
Is non-dairy coffee creamer vegan?
All vegan coffee creamers are non-dairy but it doesn’t mean that each non-dairy creamer is vegan. Some dairy-free creamers may still contain various animal ingredients. It is better to choose plant-based creamers. Also, make sure to check the list of ingredients before buying a creamer to make sure it is completely vegan.
Why is vegan coffee creamer better than milk alternatives?
There are many reasons why vegan creamers are better than traditional ones. The main point is that they are much healthier than traditional ones. They have fewer calories and there are no harmful additions. Just imagine how you can boost your energy levels with a cold brew coffee with some vegan creamer.
Conclusion
Vegan coffee creamers became really popular recently because of many reasons. They are much healthier than traditional ones and contain fewer calories that makes them great for people who are on a diet. Also, it is a perfect alternative for those who are allergic to dairy products.
Vegan creamers may be lighter and not so thick as traditional creamers. As a result, it can be a little bit hard to find the option that accompanies your coffee well. However, the modern market offers a wide range of options so it maybe not so hard to find your perfect vegan creamer. Just take your time, get creative, and you will for sure be able to find the one that compliments your favorite coffee perfectly.
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Love drinking great coffee? If you want a tasty, freshly roasted bean you can buy online, try something from LifeBoost and thank me later. Click here to check it out and save 50%.