Why don't the single serve coffee cream cups need to be refrigerated?
It seems to me that it would be subject to the same bacterial/spoiling processes that the larger containers are.
And if it's that opening a container exposes the cream to contamiants (which I believe), then why do the larger containers have "sell by" and expiration dates whereas the little packets do not?
Best Answer
Those single serving 'creamers' have been manufactured using Ultra High Temperature (UHT) processing. According to wikipedia (the most reliable information source in the multiverse!), milk treated by UHT has an unopened shelf life of 6 to 9 months.
The reason there is no 'best before' date is that they are purchased in bulk by the merchant, the container for a bunch of them (which the retail buyer will rarely see) would have the best before date on it.
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Quick Answer about "Why don't the single serve coffee cream cups need to be refrigerated?"
The explanation is fairly simple. Those little containers of creamer have been sealed and ultrapasturized. That means it has been heated at temperatures high enough to kill off any potentially harmful bacteria. So it only has to be refrigerated if the container has been opened and there is some left over.Do International Delight single creamers need to be refrigerated?
Unopened creamer singles do not need to be refrigerated because they are packaged in stay-fresh packaging that helps maintain shelf stability. However, please refrigerate any remaining product after opening.Do single serve half and half need to be refrigerated?
This product does not require refrigeration. Optimal storage temperature is between 45 - 80 degrees F. For best results use this product by the date stamped on the box.Should coffee cream be refrigerated?
Once you open the pack or bottle, you should keep it refrigerated and sealed tightly when not in use. Pretty much all such products are labeled \u201crefrigerate after opening.\u201d If you found a coffee creamer in the refrigerated section, it's almost certainly a dairy creamer and should be refrigerated at all times.Does non dairy coffee creamer need to be refrigerated?
To maximize the shelf of unopened liquid non-dairy creamer, do not store it on the fridge door, as the temperature is too warm - the unopened liquid non-dairy creamer will last longer when stored in the main body of the refrigerator, in its original package.8 Letters - Why Don't We [Official Music Video]
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Answer 2
The first time I saw UHT milk on the shelves was in Aruba, where electricity is extremely expensive and refrigeration (and AC) is sparcly found. With some concern, I purchased a box of such milk, cooled it in a refrigerator and much to my surprise it was just as tasty and refreshing as regular pasturized milk. It turns out that nothing is added to the milk, it simply is pasturized at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time than regular milk.
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