Who are these options for?

Buffet managers

You’re looking for a coconut drink that’s ready to serve in a format suited to your needs, and want to distinguish between ‘no added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’.

Kitchen teams

You prepare porridge, desserts or smoothies, and compare coconut content and pack size against the quantities needed for each recipe.

Hotels looking to identify organic options

You want to be able to spot organic certification on the packaging, then choose the ingredients and pack size that suit how you plan to serve it.

What should you look for?

Start with how you plan to use it — as a drink to pour or an ingredient in a recipe — then check the certification and ingredients of the product you choose.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Buffet service Pack size for serving straight from the carton and the exact wording about added sugars; the 1 L Carrefour Bio drink also states that it contains naturally occurring sugars. If I’m offering a chilled self-service drink, I want to be able to pour it easily without confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this need for a ready-to-serve option.
Certification and ingredients The organic logo on the packaging and the ingredients list, particularly when coconut, rice or coconut water are combined. To offer a clearly identifiable organic option, I want to know what the drink actually contains, beyond its name. Around 33% of consumers consider this their top priority.
Coconut-based recipes The stated percentage of coconut extract and the quantity needed for the recipe; Carrefour France and E.Leclerc list 76% for a 330 mL Carrefour Bio coconut milk and 47% for a 200 mL Bio Village coconut milk, respectively. When I’m making porridge or dessert, I first look for a coconut base that suits the recipe, rather than a drink to serve as it is. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this culinary use.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming coconut drink and cooking coconut milk are the same

    According to Carrefour France’s product information, its organic coconut drink contains 3.8% coconut extract, compared with 76% in its organic coconut milk. Despite their similar names, they are made differently.

    Choose based on whether you’re serving a drink or making a recipe, then check the coconut content and pack size.

  • Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’

    The Carrefour Bio drink is labelled ‘no added sugars’ and also states that it contains naturally occurring sugars.

    If sugar content matters for your requirements, read the full claim and check the product’s nutritional information.

  • Assuming the recipe from organic certification alone

    Organic certification relates to how a product is made; it does not guarantee a set percentage of coconut. The Bio Village organic rice and coconut drink listed by E.Leclerc contains, among other ingredients, 14% rice and 2% coconut paste.

    Check the organic certification and ingredients list separately before choosing a product for your menu.

  • Opening more cartons than you need

    The Bjorg drink listed by Auchan should be kept in the fridge and consumed within 4 days of opening.

    Open only as many cartons as you need for the service, and follow the instructions on each pack.

Brands to know for these uses

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour France lists two products for different uses: a 1 L organic coconut drink and a 330 mL organic coconut milk for cooking.

  • The drink contains 3.8% coconut extract and is labelled ‘no added sugars’; the milk contains 76% coconut extract.
  • Check which product you’re choosing rather than treating the drink and milk as interchangeable in a recipe.

Bio Village

E.Leclerc lists a 200 mL organic coconut milk and a 1 L organic rice and coconut drink.

  • The milk contains 47% coconut extract; the drink combines 14% rice and 2% coconut paste.
  • The rice and coconut drink is not a like-for-like replacement for coconut milk in a recipe.

Auchan Bio

Auchan France lists a 1 L organic coconut drink for serving straight from the carton.

  • The product information lists the Euro Leaf and AB logos as certification marks.
  • Check the ingredients and instructions on the packaging before adding it to the buffet.

Bjorg

The product listed by Auchan is an organic drink made with water and coconut milk. It’s intended as a drink rather than as cooking coconut milk.

  • Its product information gives clear instructions for serving it after opening.
  • It should be kept in the fridge and consumed within 4 days of opening.

A Joybuy product to consider

This small-format coconut cream is intended for breakfast recipes rather than serving as a drink in large volumes. If organic certification is a requirement for your order, check the details on the packaging.

Kara Organic Coconut Cream UHT, 200 ml

Kara Organic Coconut Cream UHT, 24% fat, 200 ml

For recipes made in small quantities, check whether this 200 ml coconut cream gives you the texture you’re looking for. The product name states that it contains 24% fat; check the organic certification on the packaging if that’s important to your choice.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can you identify organic coconut milk?

Check the certification marks on the packaging, then read the ingredients list. The French Ministry of Agriculture states that organic farming is governed by European regulations. The organic label alone does not tell you the coconut content or sugar content.

Can you use coconut drink in a recipe that calls for coconut milk?

Don’t substitute one for the other without comparing their ingredients and considering the result you want from the recipe. Carrefour France lists 3.8% coconut extract in its organic drink and 76% in its organic coconut milk, so check the product and quantities before preparing the dish.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean ‘sugar-free’?

No. The Carrefour Bio coconut drink is labelled ‘no added sugars’ and also states that it contains naturally occurring sugars. To compare products by sugar content, check their nutritional information on the same basis, such as per 100 ml.

How long can you keep coconut drink after opening?

Follow the storage conditions and time limit given for the product you’re using. The Bjorg drink listed by Auchan should be kept in the fridge and consumed within 4 days of opening; this instruction does not automatically apply to other coconut drinks.