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Coffee Creamer vs Milk and Sugar
A comparison of coffee creamer vs milk and sugar and how to choose the best one for you.
Published March 31, 2022
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Chandra Melo
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
How you like to drink your coffee is a matter of personal preference. Some people are coffee purists and believe that nothing should be added to the coffee. However, others prefer to add milk, creamer, sugar, and other flavorings to improve the texture, taste, and vibrancy in the brew. Many people do not enjoy black coffee, and if that sounds like you, then you might have already tried adding some milk or coffee creamer and some sugar or sweetener to get the taste that you like. And when you head to the coffee section in your local grocery store, the range of different milks and creamers on offer can be overwhelming. However, when you think of things that are good for you, coffee creamer, milk, and sugar might not be the first things to come to mind. Many people don’t give much thought to the sugar consumption, saturated fat levels, and daily calories that they are adding to their daily cup of coffee. Keep reading to find out more about the differences between coffee creamer and milk and sugar to help you make a more informed choice regarding which one is the best option.
Why These Ingredients are Added to Coffee
Since the seventeenth century, coffee creamers and milk have developed rapidly to suit different coffee lovers. This is why there are so many different options available in your local grocery store when it comes to milk and coffee creamers you can buy. Generally, coffee creamer is a dairy free product, and the ingredients can vary between brands. There is usually sugar included, so there’s no need to add anything else to sweeten the coffee.
For most people, milk is the most common coffee addition. You can add a splash of cold milk to a black coffee or top an espresso with steamed or frothed milk to make drinks like a latte or cappuccino. Dairy milk is the most preferred option, while some people like to use milk alternatives. Milk generally contains less calories in comparison with coffee creamer but adding sugar can make the overall calorie content higher.
Coffee Creamer and Milk – The Similarities
Both milk and coffee creamers pair very well with coffee and provide very similar results. The texture of the coffee is altered due to the fat content of the milk or creamer, producing a velvety smoothness and making the coffee denser. One of the main reasons why people like to add milk to their coffee is that it binds the coffee into polyphenolic elements, which softens the bitter taste and makes it easier to drink.
Both milk and coffee creamers have quite a high fat content which will vary depending on the heaviness that you choose. With some coffee creamers healthy in comparison to others with a lower fat content and less sugar, such as goat milk coffee creamer, there are lots of options to consider if you want to figure out what is the best coffee creamer for you if you’re looking for a healthier choice. Or if you prefer to add milk to your coffee, you can opt for 1% or skim milk instead of whole fat milk for less fat content and fewer calories.
Benefits of Coffee Creamers
Coffee creamers are a popular addition to coffee among American coffee lovers. They add a rich and thick texture to your morning mug of coffee and sweeten the drink just the right amount. Along with this, many coffee creamers are dairy-free, which makes them ideal for people who want to improve their coffee without the added lactose. They also come with added sugar, so you don’t need to add anything else to your coffee. The healthiest coffee creamers are also fairly sweet but use artificial or natural sweeteners rather than sugar to reduce the calorie content.
Benefits of Milk and Sugar
Milk and sugar are the oldest and most popular additions to coffee. They can also be quite healthy, depending on the type of milk that you use. Goat’s milk and cow’s milk, for example, are very low in calories, or you could opt to use other low-calorie plant-based milks like almond milk or oat milk. Adding milk and sugar to your brew is one of the best ways to balance the flavors of the coffee, with the fat content and sweetness of the milk lowering the acidity level of the coffee and cutting through the bitter flavors. Reduced fat milk will help to create balance between thickness and sweetness without adding a lot of extra calories and fat, while a heavier whole milk will make the coffee sweeter and creamier.
Who are Coffee Creamers Best For?
If you want to know what is the healthiest coffee creamer, then you will be glad to hear that there are lots of different coffee creamer options available to buy today with something that is suitable for every kind of coffee creamer. If you are lactose intolerant or avoid milk and dairy in general but like it to be sweet and extra thick, coffee creamer might be the right product for you. It is also a very versatile ingredient to have in your kitchen since you can use plain coffee creamer for many other cooking and baking purposes. If you are dieting, then you can find coffee creamers with lower fat and calorie content. There are also lots of flavors to choose from, making them an ideal choice for people who enjoy adding flavors like caramel or vanilla to their coffee.
Who is Milk and Sugar For?
If you don’t mind using dairy products in your diet, then milk and sugar is a popular addition to your coffee. Along with this, you can also customize it by choosing different types of milk to control the fat content and adding less sugar or even no sugar if you prefer. Milk is lower in fat compared to coffee creamer and there are lots of options available including liquid, powder, or long-life options. If you have a lot of coffee each day, milk might be the best option for you. If you like to have sugar in your coffee, be careful to add the correct amount based on how many calories you consume per day.
How Does the Taste Differ Between Milk and Coffee Creamer?
Coffee creamer is usually richer in taste and has a creamer texture in comparison to milk. The main difference when it comes to flavor is that milk tends to be more subtle while creamers will often have flavors added to them. Along with this, oils and fats are used to make creamers which make them richer.
Calorie Differences Between Coffee Creamer and Milk
If you are mindful of the calories that you consume, then it’s important to be aware of the calories that you might be adding to your brew when you add milk or coffee creamer. Since coffee creamer is usually made with additional sugars, the calorie content tends to be higher than milk. However, the main difference in calories will usually depend on the type of milk that you normally use and how much you use. A popular brand of coffee creamer like Coffee Mate has around thirty-five calories in one tablespoon, compared to a tablespoon of whole milk, which has nine calories.
Which is Best to Use?
When you are deciding whether coffee creamer or milk is going to be the best addition to your coffee, there are a few things to keep in mind. Dairy milk is a good source of essential nutrients such as calcium and protein; however, it is also quite high in cholesterol and fat. If you are looking for a low-fat or non-dairy alternative, almond milk can be an excellent choice. It is also highly nutritious and has fewer calories per serving.
If you want something that is going to add more flavor, richness, and sweetness to your coffee, then creamer might be the right choice for you. However, it’s important to bear in mind that many coffee creamers are high in saturated fat and calories, so it might not always be the best choice for those who are watching their weight.
Milk tends to dilute the coffee more than creamer as it has a higher water content, compared to creamer which is mainly made with fat and sugar. Creamer also tends to be stronger in flavor compared to milk which is quite subtle, so it might be a better choice for people who prefer creamy, sweet coffee.
Whether or not coffee creamer or milk and sugar is the best option for you really comes down to how you like to take your coffee. A coffee creamer will be the best option if you want a cup of coffee that is creamy and full of flavor. On the other hand, if you want to add something that gives your coffee more depth without as many calories, milk is a good option. Adding sugar yourself also gives you more control over how much you use.
When it comes to adding flavor and sweetness to your coffee, milk and sugar or coffee creamer are the two most popular options.
About the author
Chandra Melo
Marketing as job, barista as passion. An authentic coffee lover, looking for the next fantastic cup of coffee that I will fall in love with. Coffee, for me, is more than a beverage. It's about community and connection - how can all the world consume the same fruit? And differently? How can we have so many different tastes? I also don't know. And because of this, I feel in love each day more for this world. Happy to share and make a change in the coffee community.
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