Grocery Guide: Coffee Creamer
I consider myself somewhat of a grocery snob. If the box is wrinkled, if the can is dented or if the veggie cooler is too cold I move on to the next item. You should see the looks I get from the stock boys as I pick up and inspect at least 5 apples before finding one that I’m satisfied with.
I choose only the best, freshest ingredients because I believe the ingredients are what make simple food amazing. For that reason, I’m starting a new series on this blog: Grocery Guide where I’ll share my lists of the best ingredients in different categories to help you wade through the shelves and choose the best grocery items for your pantry.
Inspired by a comic about my biggest addiction, coffee, I’ll start this series by sharing with you my picks for the best coffee creamers:
Best Seasonal: Coffee-Mate Peppermint Mocha
I love the holidays because my favorite specialty coffee comes back on the menu at Starbucks. But when I don’t want to spend $5 to get my caffeine fix, Coffee-Mate’s Peppermint Mocha creamer provides the next best thing sans the whip-cream and red sprinkles.
TIP: Want to save the calories? Just add 1/8 cup skim milk, 1 tsp Purevia and a dash or two of peppermint extract to your morning brew.
Best Non-dairy: Silk French Vanilla
Bought this one day when it was a VIC special and all I can say is WOW! With half the fat and sugars of the Coffee-Mate version, this creamer is huge on flavor and the perfect option for anyone who is going dairy free.
Best Original: Coffee-Mate Fat Free Original
I’m not generally a big fan of plain creamers, mainly because I’ve spoiled my tongue with years of deliciousness and plain flavors just don’t do it for me anymore. Nonetheless, when I am forced to go plain I prefer Coffee-Mate. They make the creamiest fat-free creamer I’ve found, making it the best at bringing out the flavors in my favorite coffees.
Best Non-refrigerated: French Vanilla Concentrate
I thought for the longest time that the only non-refrigerated creamer came in powder form until I found this little gem! It was just sitting there in it’s happy little pump bottle in the coffee aisle at Sam’s Club. I love this becuase the pumps make for the perfect pour every time and I can just leave it right there on the counter next to the coffee maker. As long as you can get past the white, gooey glop at the bottom of your cup before adding coffee, this is a great alternative when you’re serving a large group since it doesn’t have to stay cold.
TIP: Since it’s not typical creamer, this product is a little on the sticky side. I put mine into the cup first, then add coffee to make sure it mixes well.
Best All-around: Coffee-mate Vanilla Caramel
Brandon bought this one a few months ago thinking it was Hazelnut (they are the same color after all) and I’m so glad he did. Vanilla Caramel creamer is my new favorite find! When you’re not worried about the fat, the dairy, the sugar or the fridge, go for the good stuff. When I started out to write this post, I didn’t expect Coffee-mate to sweep the awards, but with choices like Vanilla Caramel, which has the perfect amount of flavor without too much of the sweet stuff, how could they not?
ENJOY!
