Buying guide for best pumpkin spice creamer
When the weather turns cool at the end of the summer, many coffee drinkers count the days until the pumpkin spice latte returns to coffee shop menus. But you don’t have to hit Starbucks to get your pumpkin spice fix. With pumpkin spice creamer in your fridge, you can enjoy fall-inspired coffee at home whenever you like.
With so many pumpkin spice creamers to choose from, how do you find the right one? The best pumpkin spice creamer for you depends on your preferences. Do you prefer a traditional liquid creamer or a powder? Is non-dairy creamer part of your dietary plan? How sweet do you want your creamer to be, and what type of packaging best fits your needs?
What is pumpkin spice creamer?
Despite its name, pumpkin spice creamer doesn’t contain pumpkin. Instead, it features the flavors typically used in pumpkin pie, such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove, adding a pleasant zing to your coffee.
Like milk, half-and-half, and other creamers, pumpkin spice creamer makes your coffee creamy and a little more “special” than your usual homemade brew. Creamer usually has the same consistency and mouthfeel as half-and-half, though some creamers don’t contain any dairy ingredients. (Half-and-half, on the other hand, contains equal parts whole milk and cream.) Both creamer and half-and-half require refrigeration, though creamer usually stays fresh longer than half-and-half.
How to use pumpkin spice creamer
Pumpkin spice creamer is ready to use out of the package. Add the desired amount to your coffee, and stir to mix it in. Since some creamers are sweeter than others, it’s best to start with a small amount and add more if you aren’t satisfied with the taste.
Like all creamers, pumpkin spice creamers usually mix best with hot coffee. If you use it in iced coffee, it doesn’t dissolve as readily, so you may have to stir more vigorously to mix it fully. You’ll typically have an easier time mixing liquid pumpkin spice creamer into iced coffee.
In addition to coffee, you can add pumpkin spice creamer to hot tea to give it some spice.
Liquid vs. powder
Pumpkin spice creamer is available in liquid and powder form. Liquid creamers are more common. They are easier to mix into both hot and iced coffee and have a texture similar to milk, cream, and half-and-half. Liquid pumpkin spice creamer must be refrigerated and typically stays fresh for about a month.
Powdered pumpkin spice creamer is sometimes more difficult to mix into coffee. However, it doesn’t require refrigeration and can stay fresh for up to two years. It’s easier to take on the go because you don’t have to worry about messy spills. Notably, there aren’t as many powdered pumpkin spice creamer options as there are liquid pumpkin spice creamers.
Try adding pumpkin spice creamer to plain oatmeal or pancake batter instead of milk to enhance the flavor of your breakfast.
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What features do pumpkin spice creamers have?
Non-dairy
If you are lactose-intolerant, sensitive to lactose, or just trying to limit your intake of dairy, you can find plenty of non-dairy pumpkin spice creamers. For example, there are many nut-based creamers that contain milk made from almonds, cashews, coconut, or other nuts.
Other pumpkin spice non-dairy creamers are oat-based because oat milk has a natural sweetness that pairs well with the spices typically used in pumpkin spice creamers.
Ingredients
When comparing pumpkin spice creamer labels, a shorter ingredient list is usually better. Many creamers contain vegetable oil to give it a thick, creamy texture. This also increases the calorie and fat count. Preservatives are common in creamers to help them stay fresh longer, and some also include artificial sweeteners and flavors.
Pumpkin spice creamers with fewer ingredients tend to contain only milk, cream, and natural spices or flavors. Some include sugar for added sweetness. While you should still consider the calories, fat, carbohydrates, and sugar in these pumpkin spice creamers, many people feel better about choosing a product without a bunch of ingredients they can’t pronounce.
Sweetness
Pumpkin spice creamers vary in sweetness. If you usually add sugar to your coffee or tea, you may prefer a creamer that’s a bit sweeter. If you don’t like your coffee too sweet, you’ll want to pay attention to how much sugar or sweetener a creamer contains.
It’s best to avoid creamers that contain high-fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients because those sweeteners aren’t very healthy and sometimes make the creamer overly sweet.
Packaging
Most pumpkin spice creamers come in a large container, which is often a bottle with a screw-off or flip top. It’s easy to customize how much creamer you add to your hot beverage with a bottle because you can add just a splash or a couple of tablespoons, as you prefer.
However, if you tend to over pour creamer, you may prefer single-serve packaging for your pumpkin spice creamer. Individual packages contain a precise amount of creamer, so you can’t add too much to your beverage. They also work well for taking on the go. Unfortunately, single-serve creamers are usually more expensive and create more environmental waste.
DID YOU KNOW?
Starbucks first introduced its pumpkin spice latte in 2003 and started the public’s obsession with pumpkin spice coffee.
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What goes with pumpkin spice creamer?
Coffee
If you want to make a barista-quality beverage at home, you need a high-quality coffee to mix with your pumpkin spice creamer. Whether you prefer whole-bean coffee or ground coffee, you can find many delicious varieties made of beans from around the world and roasted to different levels.
Coffee maker
If you want the best-tasting coffee to mix with your pumpkin spice creamer, you may need to upgrade your coffee maker. You can find traditional drip brewers, espresso makers, single-serve coffee makers, pour-over makers, and manual makers like a French press.
Coffee mugs
Your pumpkin spice coffee will taste even better if you have a high-quality coffee mug to serve it in. Whether you prefer a traditional ceramic mug, an insulated metal travel cup, a sleek glass mug, or a lightweight plastic option, you can find coffee mugs in an array of colors and patterns to suit your tastes.
If you add too much pumpkin spice creamer to your mug, pour in a little more coffee or tea to balance the flavor.
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How much do pumpkin spice creamers cost?
Inexpensive
The most affordable pumpkin spice creamers usually cost between $.12 and $.27 per ounce. These creamers don’t contain the highest-quality ingredients and often come in large packages. Both liquid and powder options exist in this price range. They typically contain preservatives and artificial flavors and sweeteners.
Mid-range
Mid-range pumpkin spice creamers typically cost $.27 to $.70 per ounce. These creamers contain higher-quality ingredients and come in large packages. There are liquid and powder options in this price range as well as some non-dairy options.
Expensive
The most expensive pumpkin spice creamers generally cost more than $0.70 per ounce. These creamers contain the highest-quality ingredients or come in single-serve packaging. Most are liquid creamers, and you can find many non-dairy options.
Tips
- Store liquid pumpkin spice creamer in the refrigerator. Leave it in its original packaging to help maintain freshness. Don’t freeze liquid creamer because its texture can change once frozen.
- Keep powdered pumpkin spice creamer in an airtight container. You can transfer it from its original packaging to another canister or container if you prefer. Store it in your pantry or another cool, dry location.
- Mix pumpkin spice creamer into your tea. While creamer is usually recommended for coffee, you can mix it into your tea just as you would milk. The pumpkin spice flavor typically works best with black tea.
- Skip sugar when using pumpkin spice creamer. If you usually add sugar to your coffee, know that the creamer often adds enough sweetness, so mixing in additional sugar may make it overly sweet. Taste the coffee with just the creamer to see if you like the flavor, and only add sugar or artificial sweetener if you’d like it sweeter.
FAQ
Q. Should I only use pumpkin spice creamer in the fall?
A. Pumpkin spice-flavored treats have certainly become synonymous with fall. However, if you’re a fan of the flavor, you don’t have to save it for just a few months of the year. Mix it into your coffee or tea whenever you have the craving. In summer, you may like mixing it into your iced coffee to cool off while enjoying the spicy flavor.
Q. How long does pumpkin spice creamer stay fresh?
A. It depends on the type of creamer. An unopened container of powdered pumpkin spice creamer can stay fresh for up to two years. Once it’s opened, you should use powdered creamer within six months. Unopened liquid creamer is good for about a month. Once opened, it typically stays fresh for up to two weeks.
Q. Do non-dairy pumpkin spice creamers have fewer calories than dairy creamers?
A. While many people assume that non-dairy creamers are better for you than dairy-based creamers, that’s not always true regarding calories and fat. Non-dairy creamers often have similar calorie and fat counts to dairy creamers. A non-dairy pumpkin spice creamer is the best option for those who are lactose-intolerant or sensitive, but it won’t necessarily help you cut calories and fat from your diet.
