For curries, sauces and desserts in workplace catering, choose a cooking coconut milk to suit the result you want from the recipe. For coffee and drinks, opt for a plant-based coconut drink instead. If your offering needs to be dairy-free, check the ingredients and allergen information for the product supplied: ‘lactose-free’ is not enough, and for a milk allergy you’ll also need supplier information about traces and cross-contamination. Portion size, nutritional values and how long the product keeps once opened are also important when planning service.
If a recipe needs to exclude dairy ingredients, check the ingredients and allergen information for the product supplied. If you’re serving someone with a milk allergy, ask the supplier for information about traces and cross-contamination too.
For a curry, sauce or dessert where coconut flavour and texture matter, compare cooking coconut milks and their coconut content. A plant-based coconut drink may not be a like-for-like substitute in these recipes.
For coffee or drinks served as they are, look at plant-based coconut drinks and check the allergens in each recipe. According to the brand information, Alpro Coconut Barista drink contains soya.
First decide whether you’ll use the product in a recipe or a drink, then check the ingredients for each product. Compare pack size, storage time after opening and nutritional values against the quantities you’ll actually use during service.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the batch supplied; if there’s a milk allergy, ask the supplier for information about traces. | If I need to offer a dairy-free dish, I want to be able to identify its ingredients and tell diners about allergens. Around 33% of consumers would rank this check as their top priority. |
| How it works in the recipe | Compare the stated coconut content and try the product at the planned portion size. | For a sauce or curry, I need a texture and flavour that suit the recipe, without assuming a coconut drink can replace a cooking ingredient. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Match the volume of an opened pack to the portions served and follow the product’s specific storage time once opened. | When the quantities I prepare vary, I want a pack size I can use before it reaches the end of its storage life. Around 20% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Nutritional values | Compare the fat content, including saturated fat, per 100 ml, then take into account how much is used per portion. | When planning the menu, I want to know what the amount of coconut used adds to each portion, rather than judging the dish by a single figure. Around 20% of consumers would put this need first. |
These claims answer different questions. If a recipe needs to exclude dairy, ‘lactose-free’ is no substitute for checking the ingredients. For a milk allergy, you’ll also need to take information about traces into account.
Check the label on the batch and ask for an up-to-date supplier specification if cross-contamination needs to be managed.
The Auchan, Kara and Real Thai product information cited for cooking uses states coconut extract levels of 50% to 85%. The Alpro coconut drinks reviewed contain 5.7% to 14.1% coconut milk, so you may need to adjust the recipe.
Try the finished dish and set the portion size before switching products.
Auchan’s product information for Auchan and Real Thai cooking coconut milks lists 17 g of saturated fat per 100 ml for each. However, the value for the product on its own doesn’t tell you the nutritional value of the dish served.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 ml with the amount actually used in each portion.
Storage instructions differ between the products reviewed: 48 hours after opening for Auchan 200 ml coconut milk, three days for the Kara and Real Thai products cited, and five days for Auchan organic coconut drink.
Choose pack sizes to suit your service schedule, date opened packs and follow the instructions for the product supplied.
Plant-based coconut drinks for drinks and coffee, depending on the recipe.
Cooking coconut milk used as a base for sauces, curries and desserts.
UHT coconut milk for cooking.
Two distinct categories are included among the products reviewed: an organic coconut drink and a cooking coconut milk.
A retailer with coconut products including cooking ingredients and plant-based drinks.
These products include coconut options for cooking and a barista drink for the coffee station. Start by choosing one for your intended preparation. If it’s for someone with a milk allergy, check the supplier and batch information before serving.
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A size to consider for larger batches of cooking. Check that the quantity opened matches your planned service and review the allergen information for the batch.
Pack: 1 L PET bottle.
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For cooking, this pack size helps you plan how many packs to open for the quantities you need. Check the storage instructions and allergen information for the product supplied.
Pack: 400 ml.
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For a recipe that calls for coconut cream, set the amount to use per portion rather than swapping it directly for a coconut drink. Check the allergens and storage instructions after opening too.
Variant listed: 24% fat; 200 ml pack.
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For a sauce or curry made in a smaller quantity, check how many packs the recipe needs. The claim ‘lactose-free’ doesn’t remove the need to check the ingredients and information about traces of milk, if required.
Variant listed: 17% fat; 200 ml pack.
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This barista drink is suited to the coffee station rather than as a direct replacement for cooking coconut milk. Alpro describes its coconut barista recipe as dairy-free, but it contains soya. Check the allergens and storage instructions on the product supplied.
Pack: 1 L.
No. The name doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergen information for the product supplied. If the dish is for someone with a milk allergy, also ask the supplier for up-to-date information about traces and cross-contamination.
Cooking coconut milk is a good starting point for a recipe that needs a pronounced coconut flavour and texture. The cooking products reviewed by Auchan list 50% to 85% coconut extract. However, try the recipe at the planned portion size, as a coconut drink may not give the same result.
Follow the instructions for the product you buy: Auchan’s product information says 48 hours for its 200 ml cooking coconut milk, three days for the Kara and Real Thai products reviewed, and five days for its organic coconut drink. Choose a pack size to suit the portions you serve and follow the storage conditions on the packaging too.