If the recipe calls for a coconut-based sauce or dish, choose coconut milk for cooking and check its ingredients, pack size and storage instructions after opening. A coconut drink is not automatically a suitable substitute. If the request is for a block of cheese to grate, check the recipe before ordering: it’s a different ingredient with different selection criteria. In either case, the dish should be assessed as served to ensure it’s suitable for the residents.
They need a cooking ingredient whose composition, packaging and storage instructions are suitable for the quantities being prepared. Carrefour lists Real Thai coconut milk for cooking in a 1 L carton, while Transgourmet offers a 1 kg carton for professional buyers.
The texture and ingredients of the finished dish matter more than the name of a single ingredient. The French National Authority for Health identifies difficulties with eating, chewing or swallowing as factors to consider in care homes.
If a request mentions both coconut milk and a block of cheese to grate, they should confirm which ingredient is needed and how it will be used in the recipe before choosing a product.
First, identify the ingredient required by the recipe: coconut milk for cooking, a coconut drink or cheese to grate. If coconut milk is needed, check its composition and suitability for the dish, then consider the pack size and storage instructions after opening.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for cooking | The product description, coconut content and fat content shown on the label. | When preparing a sauce, I want to choose an ingredient for cooking rather than a coconut-flavoured drink. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this cooking use. |
| Adapting the dish | The texture of the dish as served and whether it meets the individual needs identified by the relevant team. | If a meal needs to be adapted for a resident, I can’t judge the dish based on the choice of coconut milk alone. Around 29% of consumers would put adapting the recipe first. |
| Storage | The product’s instructions after opening and the care home’s storage and traceability procedures. | If a carton is opened for use in several dishes, I need to be able to follow its storage instructions. This would be the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Packaging | The quantity used per recipe, how often it’s prepared and the pack size available, keeping the stated units in mind. | For a small batch or regular meal service, I look for a pack size that matches the quantities being prepared, so I can manage leftovers. Around 14% of consumers would put this criterion first. |
Carrefour’s product information lists 85% coconut extract in Real Thai coconut milk, compared with 3.2% coconut in Carrefour Sensation Coco drink. These products may not do the same job in a sauce.
For a cooked recipe, check the product description and ingredients, then make sure its composition is right for the dish.
A different fat content alone doesn’t tell you whether a recipe is suitable for each person. The French National Authority for Health reminds care homes that dietary difficulties require individual attention.
Agree the aim of the recipe with the relevant team, then assess the finished dish rather than relying on the word ‘light’ on the label.
Instructions vary by product: TG Natura’s product information says to refrigerate it after opening, while Auchan’s information for Kara Light also specifies refrigeration and use within three days.
Choose a pack size that suits the quantities actually used, and follow the instructions for the product you buy as well as your care home’s procedures.
Coconut milk and a block of cheese to grate are two different ingredients. A product chosen for a coconut sauce won’t meet a request for cheese.
Confirm the recipe and the ingredient needed before comparing pack sizes or placing an order.
These products illustrate the different compositions and pack sizes available. The right choice depends on the recipe, the quantities being prepared and the storage instructions for the product selected.
Carrefour lists Real Thai coconut milk for cooking in a 1 L carton.
Transgourmet offers organic TG Natura coconut milk in a 1 kg carton, sold in cases of 12.
Auchan lists a lighter Kara coconut milk in a 200 mL pack.
Not automatically: their composition can be very different. Carrefour lists 85% coconut extract and 19 g of fat per 100 mL for Real Thai coconut milk, compared with 3.2% coconut and 1 g of fat per 100 mL for its Sensation Coco drink. Check what the recipe calls for before making a substitution.
No. The presence of coconut milk doesn’t establish that a dish is suitable for every resident. The French National Authority for Health identifies difficulties with eating, chewing or swallowing as factors to consider. The relevant team should assess the recipe and its texture when served in light of each resident’s identified needs.
Follow the instructions for the specific product you’re using. Transgourmet says to refrigerate TG Natura after opening; Auchan specifies refrigeration and use within three days for Kara Light. Don’t assume that the time limit for one product applies to another.
Check the recipe, the product information and your care home’s storage and traceability procedures. The Ministry of Agriculture’s guidance on catering for groups applies to establishments carrying out this activity. Choosing a particular brand doesn’t replace the procedures followed on site.