Coffee-Mate is a popular non-dairy creamer made by Nestlé. One of their most popular flavors has been coconut cream. However, some Coffee-Mate fans have noticed that the coconut cream flavor seems to have disappeared from store shelves, leading them to wonder – did Coffee-Mate discontinue coconut cream?
The short answer is: yes, it appears that Coffee-Mate has discontinued their coconut cream non-dairy creamer, at least for now. The product is currently listed as “out of stock” or “unavailable” on many major retailer websites that previously carried it. Additionally, a Nestlé customer service representative confirmed that the coconut cream flavor has been discontinued and they do not have an estimated date for when or if it will return.
When was Coffee-Mate coconut cream discontinued?
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when Coffee-Mate coconut cream was discontinued, but the product seems to have become unavailable sometime in 2022.
Searching online, some customers reported having trouble finding it in stores as early as January 2022. It remained sporadically in stock at some retailers over the next few months before eventually disappearing from most store shelves by mid-2022.
Here is a timeline of when the product appears to have become unavailable based on customer reports:
- January 2022 – Some customers start reporting being unable to find it in stores.
- February to April 2022 – Still available at some retailers but stock seems limited.
- May 2022 – Most major retailers no longer carry it.
- June 2022 – Confirmation from Nestlé that it has been discontinued.
So while it did not disappear overnight, sometime during the first half of 2022 seems to be when Coffee-Mate officially discontinued the coconut cream variety of their non-dairy creamer.
Why did Coffee-Mate discontinue coconut cream?
Coffee-Mate has not provided an official reason for why they discontinued their popular coconut cream non-dairy creamer. However, there are a few potential reasons that may explain the decision:
- Supply chain issues – Like many companies, Coffee-Mate may have been facing challenges obtaining ingredients due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. Coconut-based products in particular suffered from shortages and increased costs in 2022. Discontinuing a flavor using an expensive or hard-to-source ingredient would save on production costs.
- Lagging sales – It’s possible that coconut cream was not a top selling Coffee-Mate variety, so the company decided to discontinue it in favor of other more popular flavors. With shelf space at a premium, brands often cut their least successful products.
- Manufacturing changes – Coffee-Mate may have made some sort of change in their manufacturing or distribution process that made it too difficult or costly to continue making the coconut cream flavor.
Without an official announcement from Nestlé, the true reason is uncertain. But it was likely a business decision based on costs, sales, or operations. The company determined it was no longer profitable or practical to keep the coconut cream non-dairy creamer in their Coffee-Mate product lineup.
What Coffee-Mate flavors are discontinued?
In addition to coconut cream, Coffee-Mate has discontinued a number of other flavors over the years. Some of the Coffee-Mate varieties that are no longer available include:
Discontinued liquid creamer flavors:
- Banana Crème
- Cafe Mocha
- Cappuccino
- Chocolate Marshmallow
- Cinnamon Bun
- Dulce de Leche
- Egg Nog
- Girl Scouts Thin Mints
- Hazelnut
- Hershey’s Chocolate
- Hershey’s Strawberry Syrup
- Irish Creme
- Oreo
- Peppermint Mocha
- Pumpkin Spice
- Raspberry Mocha
- Red Velvet
- Snickers
- Vanilla Caramel
Discontinued powder creamer flavors:
- Cafe Mocha
- Chocolate Marshmallow
- Cinnamon Bun
- Dulce de Leche
- French Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Hershey’s Chocolate
- Hershey’s Strawberry Syrup
- Irish Creme
- Peppermint Mocha
- Pumpkin Spice
- Raspberry Mocha
- Vanilla Caramel
Coffee-Mate has a large product line with frequent turn-over of limited edition and seasonal flavors. While coconuts cream’s discontinuation is their most recent notable cut, looking back shows many flavors have come and gone from the Coffee-Mate family over time.
Are there any Coffee-Mate coconut cream alternatives?
For coffee drinkers who loved the coconut creaminess Coffee-Mate offered, the discontinuation may be disappointing. But there are some possible alternative creamer options that provide a similar coconut flavor:
Nestlé Coffee-Mate Coconut Milk
Coffee-Mate does still offer a coconut milk variety creamer. The ingredient list shows it contains coconut cream as well as coconut milk powder, so it should offer an authentic coconut taste. For those missing the coconut cream, the coconut milk version could be a good direct replacement.
Natural coconut creamers
There are a number of natural, dairy-free creamers made with real coconut products like coconut milk or coconut oil. Some popular options include Nut Pods, SO Delicious, and Califia Farms Better Half. These tend to have shorter ingredients lists without artificial flavors or preservatives.
DIY coconut creamer
It’s easy to make your own homemade coconut creamer by blending together canned coconut milk or coconut cream with water. This allows you to control the thickness and coconut flavor intensity. Spices like cinnamon or vanilla can be added for extra flavor.
Other non-dairy creamers
While they may not offer an authentic coconut taste, Coffee-Mate’s wide range of non-dairy creamers like French Vanilla, Hazelnut, or Sweet Cream can provide a generally creamy, milk-like coffee experience. So those less concerned with coconut specifically may find another Coffee-Mate or non-dairy creamer variety they enjoy.
The history of Coffee-Mate
To understand Coffee-Mate’s decision to discontinue coconut cream, it helps to know some history about the company and their approach to products:
- 1961 – Coffee-Mate is launched by Carnation Company as the first powdered non-dairy creamer product.
- 1963 – A liquid version of Coffee-Mate is introduced.
- 1985 – Nestlé acquires Carnation Company and takes over the Coffee-Mate brand.
- Mid 1990s – Coffee-Mate begins expanding their flavor offerings beyond just “original” and French Vanilla.
- Early 2000s – Flavored non-dairy creamers rise in popularity, prompting Coffee-Mate to release many new seasonal and limited edition flavors.
- 2010s-2020s – Coffee-Mate continues releasing new flavors every year, often tied to seasonal trends.
Throughout its history, Coffee-Mate has marketed itself on offering convenience, versatility, and choice for non-dairy coffee creamer options. Their huge array of flavors is a key part of their brand strategy.
But having such a large lineup also means certain products have to be cycled out to make room for new options. Discontinuing flavors is a natural part of Coffee-Mate’s business. While loyal coconut cream fans may be unhappy, Coffee-Mate likely has some new releases in the works to take its place.
What do customers think about Coffee-Mate discontinuing coconut cream?
Judging by online discussions, Coffee-Mate coconut cream had a devoted fan base who are quite disappointed by the discontinuation. Some of the opinions commonly expressed include:
- Long-time coconut cream users are upset their favorite flavor is gone and hard to find a good substitute.
- Customers feel frustrated that Coffee-Mate removed one of their few creamer options suitable for people with nut allergies.
- Many say coconut is a popular coffee flavor Coffee-Mate should keep on hand rather than exotic limited editions.
- Some believe the discontinuation is temporary due to pandemic supply issues and hope coconut cream will return.
- A number accuse Coffee-Mate of “messing with perfection” and not caring about customer satisfaction.
- A few understanding customers recognize it was likely just a business decision.
In summary – a vocal segment of coffee drinkers are unhappy with Coffee-Mate’s choice and hope they bring this flavor back. But the company has not acknowledged any plans to do so in the near future.
How Coffee-Mate coconut cream compares to competitors
Here is how Coffee-Mate coconut cream stacks up against some competing coconut creamer brands:
| Brand | Base | Flavor | Sugar/Sweeteners | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee-Mate Coconut Cream | Water, vegetable oils | Natural and artificial coconut flavor | Corn syrup solids, sugar | Thick, creamy |
| Nestlé Coffee-Mate Coconut Milk | Water, coconut milk powder | Natural coconut flavor | Sugar, maltodextrin | Thin, milky |
| SO Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer | Coconut milk, sunflower oil | Natural coconut flavor | Organic cane sugar | Thick, creamy |
| Natural Bliss Coconut Milk Creamer | Coconut milk, coconut oil | Natural coconut flavor | Organic agave, organic cane sugar | Thick, creamy |
In terms of natural coconut flavor, creaminess, and texture, the discontinued Coffee-Mate coconut cream generally compared well against other natural and artificially flavored coconut creamers. But for consumers who prefer simpler, less processed ingredients, the natural coconut creamers may be viewed as superior despite a similar taste profile.
Conclusion
Based on currently available information, Coffee-Mate has discontinued their coconut cream non-dairy creamer variety sometime around mid-2022. This appears to be a permanent move rather than a temporary supply shortage.
The company has not given an official reason, but rising costs, manufacturing changes, or low salesvolume may have contributed to the decision. Long-time fans seem very disappointed to lose this flavor, rating it highly compared to alternatives.
For now, Coffee-Mate coconut milk provides the closest match within the Coffee-Mate line. Or consumers can explore natural coconut creamers or make their own DIY version to satisfy the coconut cream craving Coffee-Mate’s discontinuation left behind. But there is always a chance customer demand could eventually convince them to bring back the original Coffee-Mate coconut creamer.
