What is coconut milk?
Coconut milk is a creamy liquid made by blending the grated flesh of mature coconuts with water and straining it. Canned coconut milk is thick and rich and is the one used for cooking curries, soups and desserts. Carton coconut milk is a diluted drink with about an eighth of the fat of canned, made for drinking.
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In this article
What is coconut milk?
Coconut milk is a white, creamy liquid made from the grated flesh of mature coconuts blended with water and strained. It is a plant-based, dairy-free ingredient. It is not the clear liquid inside a young coconut, which is coconut water.
What is the difference between canned and carton coconut milk?
| Canned | Carton (beverage) | |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Thick, rich; often separates into cream and water | Thin, like other plant milks |
| Fat | High | About an eighth of canned, per Cook’s Country |
| Best for | Curries, soups, sauces, desserts | Drinking, cereal, smoothies, coffee |
| Ingredients | Often just coconut and water, sometimes a stabilizer | Water, coconut, plus sugar, flavors and thickeners in many brands |
America’s Test Kitchen’s Cook’s Country says the two products are not the same and advises against cooking with the carton beverage. Check which one a recipe calls for before you buy.
What is coconut milk used for?
- Curries and stews, where it adds body and a mild sweetness
- Soups, sauces and rice dishes
- Desserts, puddings and ice cream
- Smoothies and coffee (the carton drink is the one made for drinking)
- A dairy-free swap for cream in some recipes; a Flavour Network guide recommends full-fat canned coconut milk for cream-based soups
How is it different from coconut cream and coconut water?
Coconut cream is generally thicker and richer than coconut milk. Coconut water is the thin, clear liquid from inside a young coconut, with a light sweet taste. They are not interchangeable in recipes.
Is coconut milk dairy-free?
Yes, coconut milk contains no dairy or lactose. If you have a nut allergy, read labels and ask your doctor before using it.
How should you store it?
Store unopened cans in the pantry. After opening, move the contents to a covered container in the fridge and follow the label for how long it keeps. Shake or stir well; separation is normal in canned milk. Look for added sugar and gums on carton labels, and choose unsweetened if you cook savory dishes.
This is general guidance. Nutrition varies a lot between canned, light and carton products, so use the label for calories, fat and sugar.
People also ask
What is coconut milk made of?
The grated flesh of mature coconuts blended with water and strained. Some brands add stabilizers, and cartons often add sugar and thickeners.
Can I use carton coconut milk instead of canned?
Cook's Country advises against it: the carton beverage has about an eighth of the fat and will not give the same body. Use canned for curries and sauces.
Is coconut milk the same as coconut water?
No. Coconut water is the thin clear liquid inside young coconuts; coconut milk is made from the flesh blended with water.
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