I don't drink a lot of coffee. Perhaps a cup or two a week, that's it. But I decided that when I do drink it, I want it to taste good. For me that means lots of sweetener and some kind of flavored creamer. But I also don't want to add a bunch of calories to my coffee. So, lately, my creamer of choice has been Coffee-Mate's Sugar Free Hazelnut powder.

There is so much that I like about this product! I like that it's sugar-free. I like that it's only 30 calories for a one-tablespoon serving (and I actually use less than that, so I'm getting even fewer calories). I like that it smells absolutely wonderful with a hint of a nut fragrance. I like the taste - sweet and nutty. And I like that it lasts for two years without refrigeration. I even like the shape of the bottle, and the fact that there's a pour spout with a snap closure that really snaps tight, so you know it's sealed.

So what's not to like? Well, the only thing I don't like is the 2.5g of fat that come in every tablespoon.

On the other hand, the regular hazelnut product contains 60 calories, 3g of fat, and 7g of sugar. So you can see that in this case, the sugar-free version really is a reduced calorie, reduced fat product.

What makes it so sweet? Sucralose and acesulfame potassium. As far as taste goes, I've never had the regular product so I don't know how this one compares to it. But I can tell you that this one is delicious. It really gives the coffee a nice, smooth texture, and a sweet, nutty taste. Just add a tablespoon of power (or less), and give a stir. The coffee will lighten as if you've added milk or cream to it. And it will take on that wonderful aroma and taste.

Is this a "dairy product"? Well, It's debatable. It depends on your definition of "dairy". Right on the bottle it states "This product is non-dairy". But listed in the ingredients is "sodium caseinate (a milk derivative)". And the Kosher certification on the bottle is a D indicating that it is considered dairy. It seems that the FDA has decided that although sodium caseinate has its origin in a milk product, the processing alters it enough to be considered non-dairy. However, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis who certify kosher products disagrees. Strict vegans might disagree as well. For those who want a "true" non-dairy product, there are plenty of soy options out there.

As for me, I don't care if it's dairy or not. All I know is that it tastes good, costs only pennies a serving, and helps me enjoy my cup of coffee, without adding too many calories. My local supermarket sells the 10.2 oz bottles individually, but they are also available in a 6-pack.

Coffee-Mate is a division of Nestle. See www.coffee-mate.com for additional information.


Coffee Mate Sugar-Free French Vanilla Powder

Coffee Mate Sugar-Free Vanilla Caramel Powder

Recommended: Yes