Households that mostly drink coconut drinks
For cereal or drinks, you’re looking for a liquid texture and want to compare the fat content per 100 ml or 100 g, rather than relying on the word ‘coconut’ alone.
Who are these options for?
People who cook with coconut milk
For sauces, soups or curries, you need a product designed for cooking. Fat content and the amount you add to each recipe matter just as much as the word ‘light’ on the pack.
Households considering a family-size pack
If you have several recipes in mind, compare the volume of each pack and how long it keeps after opening. A large carton is only practical if you can use it up in time.
What should you check before buying?
First decide whether you want a drink or a cooking ingredient, then compare the fat content using the same unit of measurement. Finally, choose a pack size that suits the amount you’ll use.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday fat content | How you plan to use it and the fat content per 100 ml or 100 g; compare figures given on the same basis. | For drinks or breakfast, I want the coconut drink to stay liquid while keeping an eye on the fat content. Around 44% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Cooking use | The fat content of coconut milk for cooking and the amount needed for the recipe, even if the product is labelled ‘light’. | When I’m making a sauce or curry, I want to use coconut milk for cooking while keeping track of how much I add. This comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | The volume of each pack, the recipes you have planned and the storage instructions after opening. | When I often cook for several people, I want to finish each opened carton without leaving any unused. For around 23% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming ‘light’ means ‘low in fat’
Auchan’s listing for Kara Light shows 13 g of fat per 100 ml. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a liquid can only claim to be ‘low in fat’ if it contains no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml.
Check the figure per 100 ml before deciding whether a reduced-fat version meets your goal.
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Assuming a family-size pack is a nutritional benefit
Carrefour’s listing for Grace 1 L culinary coconut milk shows 16.6 g of fat per 100 ml: the carton size doesn’t change this figure.
First choose between a coconut drink and coconut milk for cooking based on your recipe, then compare the nutritional information for the product you’ve selected.
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Buying a multipack without planning how to use the opened cartons
Storage instructions vary by product: Auchan says to use Kara Light 200 ml within three days of opening, while Joybuy’s listing for classic Kara 1 L says three to four days when stored in the fridge.
Choose a pack size that suits the recipes you have planned and follow the label on the product you buy.
An opened carton that you can’t finish within the stated time may go to waste.
Brands to know when comparing products
Alpro
The 1 L carton of unsweetened coconut drink listed by Carrefour is intended as a drink rather than as coconut milk for cooking.
- Carrefour’s listing shows 1.2 g of fat per 100 g for this specific product.
- This figure doesn’t apply to other Alpro drinks and won’t tell you how a sauce will turn out.
Kara
The products reviewed include a 200 ml carton of light coconut milk for cooking, as well as classic versions in larger packs or multipacks.
- The smaller Kara Light carton lets you buy an amount suited to a one-off recipe.
- Auchan shows 13 g of fat per 100 ml for Kara Light; the figures shown for the classic products reviewed on Joybuy range from 17.8 to 18 g per 100 ml.
Grace
The premium culinary coconut milk listed by Carrefour comes in a 1 L carton.
- This size can be handy when several recipes call for coconut milk for cooking.
- Carrefour’s listing shows 16.6 g of fat per 100 ml: choosing a larger pack won’t, by itself, meet a low-fat goal.
Real Thaï
The UHT coconut milk for cooking listed by Auchan comes in a 500 ml carton.
- Auchan’s listing says this product contains 85% coconut extract.
- It also shows 19 g of fat, including 17 g of saturated fatty acids, per 100 ml.
Coconut drinks to consider on Joybuy
These two 1 L cartons are coconut drink options: one is designed for coffee, while the other contains matcha. For a sauce or curry that needs coconut milk for cooking, look for a cooking product instead and check its fat content.
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Alpro Coconut Barista 1 L
A coconut drink to consider for coffee rather than as a curry base. The carton contains 1 L; check the ingredients and storage instructions on the label.
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Alpro Matcha Coconut 1 L
A coconut drink with matcha to consider if you fancy this flavour combination, rather than plain coconut milk for cooking. The carton contains 1 L; check the ingredients and storage instructions on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘light’ coconut milk always low in fat?
No: ‘light’ doesn’t automatically mean a product meets the threshold for a ‘low in fat’ claim. For liquids, European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets this threshold at no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml; Auchan’s listing for Kara Light shows 13 g per 100 ml.
What should I choose if I’m making a curry?
If your recipe needs the texture of coconut milk for cooking, choose a cooking product and consider how much you’ll add. A coconut drink may work if you’re happy with a thinner texture, but it won’t necessarily replace the coconut milk specified in the recipe.
How long can I keep an opened carton?
Follow the time stated on the carton you buy, as it varies by product. Auchan says to keep Kara Light 200 ml in the fridge and use it within three days of opening; Joybuy’s listing for classic Kara 1 L says three to four days.
What should I check on the label if I’m concerned about an ingredient?
Check the ingredients list for the exact product before buying. In France, the DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted in the list; don’t assume what a coconut drink or coconut milk contains based on the brand name alone.