Coffee has become a daily ritual for many people. People who drink coffee and enjoy its taste and aroma have their own preferences for preparing it.
Some enjoy their coffee black; others with cream; some like it with a little sugar; others prefer it with flavored creamer.
Quick Answer: What is the difference between creamer and milk?
The main difference between coffee creamer and milk is that creamer is a type of processed dairy or non-dairy product that is usually sweetened, while milk is a natural dairy product.
In this article, I’ll give a few pointers to help you choose the add-in to use in your coffee!
Coffee creamer vs. milk, what is the difference?
There are a few main differences between coffee creamer and milk:
- Coffee creamer is thicker and creamier than milk.
- Coffee creamer has a slightly sweet taste, while milk is relatively flavorless.
- Coffee creamer is a source of fat and calories, while milk is not.
- Coffee creamer contains added ingredients (such as sugar, artificial flavors, and colorings) that milk does not.
- On the other hand, milk contains less fat and sugar than creamer and contains protein and minerals like calcium and potassium.
As you can see, there are some remarkable differences between coffee creamer and milk.
While you can get many different flavors for your coffee creamers, like mocha, snickerdoodle, and so many more, milk will have the same taste.
There is, however, a difference in flavor when using whole milk or low-fat milk.
Whole milk will have a fuller flavor, which comes closer to the creaminess that you can find in coffee creamers.
I’ll also get into the difference in taste, the difference in calories, and much more below:
How do coffee creamer and milk differ in taste?
Coffee creamer is creamier and richer in taste that can’t be replicated by milk alone.
The difference in flavor between creamer and milk is that creamers often have flavors added to them, while milk has a more subtle flavor.
This is because creamers are made with oils and fats, which give them a richer flavor than milk.
People usually think that coffee creamer tastes creamier than milk because it is artificially flavored.
On the other hand, milk has a more subtle flavor and doesn’t have any artificial additives.
You can buy almost any kind of flavored coffee creamer. While you can also buy different kinds of milk or dairy-free alternatives, they are not that different in flavor compared to various coffee creamers.
While there is a slight taste difference between whole milk and low-fat milk, it’s not as big a difference when looking at the endless coffee creamer flavors you can buy.
You can also make coffee creamer at home, which doesn’t contain any artificial flavors but will get you that creamier coffee.
French vanilla coffee creamer is a great natural coffee creamer that is slightly sweet; you can check out a complete recipe for it here.
Another option is going for a homemade cinnamon creamer or even a Nutella creamer!
What is the difference in calories between coffee creamer and milk?
The calories in coffee creamer are more than milk because it’s made with added sugars, which is why the calorie count for coffee creamer is usually higher.
The difference in calories depends on how much you use and what type of milk or cream you’re using as well.
Have a look at the table below for a good comparison of calories for a serving of one tablespoon:
| Which add-in? | How many calories? |
| Whole milk | 9 calories |
| 2% fat milk | 5 calories |
| Homemade coffee creamer | 16 calories |
| Coffee mate coffee creamer | 35 calories |
As you can see, dairy and coffee creamer have a big calorie difference.
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative that still provides that creamy texture without the dairy, then try using unsweetened almond milk instead! It’s super delicious.
Soy milk and coconut milk are also great options if you want your coffee to have a slightly sweeter flavor without adding a coffee creamer to it.
Is it better to use milk or coffee creamer in coffee?
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to use milk or creamer in coffee.
Dairy milk contains both protein and calcium, which are two important nutrients. However, dairy milk is also high in fat and cholesterol.
Almond milk is a good choice if you’re looking for a lower-fat alternative. It’s lower in calories per serving.
Creamer is a good choice if you’re looking for something that will add flavor and sweetness to your coffee.
However, it’s also high in calories and saturated fat. So, if you’re trying to watch your weight, it might be best to avoid creamer.
Milk has a high water content, while creamer is mostly fat and sugar. So milk will dilute the coffee more than creamer will.
Creamer also has a stronger flavor than milk, so it may be more desirable for people who like their coffee to be sweet and creamy.
So, it really depends on what you’re looking for in your coffee. If you want a creamier, more flavorful cup of coffee, then using a coffee creamer is the way to go.
However, if you’re looking for something that will give your coffee a little more depth without so many calories, then using milk is the better option.
Conclusion
I’ve talked about the differences between coffee creamer and milk, including which tastes better and which is healthier.
Which do you prefer? Do you think that there should be a standard for what goes in your morning cup of joe?
I prefer drinking my coffee with just a splash of milk to start the day. But when I’ve made some homemade coffee creamer, I can’t resist adding it to my brewed coffee.
I think it’s nice to change things up every now and again. If you’re interested in trying out some homemade coffee add-ins, you can check out the articles that I’ve listed below.
