Households making several desserts
If your recipes call for almost 3 L of coconut milk altogether, compare the sizes of cartons and multipacks before you buy. The 1 L formats let you spread out opening the containers as you prepare each dessert.
Who is this advice for?
Anyone looking for a pronounced coconut flavour
For a filling or entremets where coconut plays a key role, check the stated proportion of coconut extract and whether the recipe calls for milk or cream. This percentage alone won’t predict how the dessert will turn out.
Anyone unsure which coconut product to choose
Culinary coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut plant-based drinks are not the same ingredient. The product name and ingredients list will help you choose what your recipe calls for.
What should you look for before buying?
For Christmas baking, start with the type of ingredient each recipe calls for, add up the amounts you need, then compare the labels of suitable pack sizes.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and coconut flavour | Whether the product is labelled “milk” or “cream”, and the stated proportion of coconut extract; use the type specified in the recipe. | For a filling where the coconut needs to come through, I want to choose the ingredient the recipe calls for rather than automatically swapping milk for cream. Around 31% of consumers would make texture and flavour their top priority. |
| Volume and leftovers | The total volume needed for the recipes, the size of each container and the storage instructions after opening. | When several desserts need almost 3 L in total, I’d rather open the containers as I go. Volume and managing leftovers would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients list, any stabilisers and the allergens shown on the packaging. | If I’m comparing two culinary coconut milks, I want to know what each contains before following my recipe. Around 19% of consumers would put ingredients at the heart of their decision. |
| Product type | Whether the product is labelled “coconut milk”, “coconut cream” or “coconut plant-based drink”, as well as its ingredients. | When choosing between several coconut products, I want to avoid picking a drink when my recipe calls for culinary coconut milk. For around 25% of consumers, this distinction would be their main concern. |
Common mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming all “coconut” products are interchangeable
Carrefour product listings for several culinary coconut milks state that they contain 63% to 85% coconut extract, while Auchan’s listing for a coconut plant-based drink states 3.2% coconut. These products have different compositions.
Before swapping ingredients in a yule log or cream, check the product type and ingredients specified in the recipe.
-
Opening every carton in a multipack in advance
Once a container is open, the date printed on the unopened product is no longer enough to guide storage. Instructions for after opening vary between products.
Open containers as you need them for each recipe and follow the refrigeration and use-by instructions on each pack.
Opening more containers than you need can leave you with unused coconut milk after you’ve finished baking.
-
Expecting a short ingredients list to guarantee the result
Ingredients vary between products: some list coconut and water, while others also include gums or an emulsifier. The ingredients list alone doesn’t determine how well a bake will turn out.
First choose the type of milk or cream and the volume you need, then compare the ingredients according to your preferences.
Brands to know when comparing products
Real Thai
Culinary coconut milk listed by Carrefour in 500 mL and 1 L cartons.
- The 1 L carton listing states that it contains 85% coconut extract and water.
- For a dessert, choose the pack size to suit the amount you need; this composition doesn’t guarantee a particular texture in every recipe.
KARA
Fluid culinary coconut milk in a 500 mL carton, listed by Carrefour.
- The listing states that it contains 64% fresh coconut extract, water, and xanthan and guar gums.
- You would need several cartons of this size to make up almost 3 L.
Suzi Wan
Carrefour listings distinguish between 500 mL coconut milk and 200 mL thick coconut cream.
- The milk contains 64% coconut extract, while the cream contains 90%. Their product names help you choose the right one for your recipe.
- You’ll need a lot of 200 mL cartons if you’re looking for a larger volume of cream.
Tables du Monde
200 mL culinary coconut milk sold by E.Leclerc under its Marque Repère own-brand range.
- The listing states that it contains 63% coconut extract, water and xanthan gum; the small pack is suitable when you only need a little.
- You’ll need a lot of 200 mL cartons to make up a larger volume.
AROY-D
Culinary coconut milk listed by Carrefour in a multipack of four 1 L cartons.
- The listing states that it contains 70% coconut extract, water and the emulsifier E435; the separate cartons make it easier to plan for several recipes.
- This multipack contains more than the 3 L you need. The listing we checked showed it as unavailable, so check what’s on offer when you buy.
Joybuy products for these recipes
These culinary coconut milks and this coconut cream come in different sizes for Christmas desserts. First check whether each recipe calls for milk or cream, then work out how many units you’ll need to make up the total volume.
Image unavailable
Vietcoco coconut milk, 17-19% fat, 1 L
A 1 L unit can count towards the volume you need for several desserts that call for coconut milk.
The product name states 17-19% fat. Check the storage instructions on the packaging before sharing it between several recipes.
Image unavailable
AMPAWA coconut milk in a 1 L PET bottle
If your recipe calls for coconut milk, several 1 L bottles can help you make up the amount you need for the whole family.
Check the ingredients list on the packaging if additives are a factor in your choice.
Image unavailable
CHAOKOH coconut milk for desserts, 16-18%, 12 × 250 mL
This multipack adds up to 3 L in twelve 250 mL units, making it a good choice when you’re dividing the volume between several recipes rather than using one large bottle.
The product name states 16-18%. If you’re choosing based on stabilisers, check the ingredients list on the packaging.
Image unavailable
CHAOKOH coconut cream, 23% fat, 1 L
This 1 L coconut cream is worth considering when a recipe calls for cream, rather than as an automatic substitute for coconut milk.
The product name states 23% fat. If the proportion of coconut extract is important to you, check it on the packaging.
Image unavailable
CHAOKOH coconut milk, 18%, 6 × 250 mL
The six 250 mL units let you measure out coconut milk separately for several recipes.
The multipack contains 1.5 L in total. If your recipes need almost 3 L, make sure you plan for the extra amount before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a coconut plant-based drink instead of coconut milk in a yule log?
Not automatically if the recipe calls for culinary coconut milk. Auchan’s listing for a plant-based coconut drink states that it contains 3.2% coconut, while Carrefour listings for several culinary coconut milks state that they contain 63% to 85% coconut extract. Check the type of product the recipe calls for before making any changes.
How can you plan for around 3 L of coconut milk for several desserts?
Add up the amounts required by your recipes, then choose sealed containers that add up to the amount you need. Three 1 L cartons give you 3 L of coconut milk; a pack of 12 × 250 mL also gives you 3 L, but you’ll have more individual units to open.
What should you check on the label if the ingredients matter for your recipe?
First read the product name, ingredients list and stated proportion of coconut, then check any other details that matter to your choice. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control notes that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels.
Can you rely on the date printed on a carton after opening it?
After opening, follow the storage instructions for that specific product. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains that the use-by date given for an unopened pack is no longer useful once it has been opened. Don’t assume that the instructions for another product apply.