For a dessert cream, homemade ice cream or thick smoothie, choose culinary coconut milk by comparing the proportion of coconut extract and the fat content shown on the label, rather than relying on the word “mature”. If you’re making just one batch, check the pack size and storage instructions after opening too. A plant-based coconut drink is suitable for other uses, but may not be a suitable substitute for culinary coconut milk in a recipe that needs a creamy texture.
For a cream, ice cream or thick smoothie, compare the proportion of coconut extract and the fat content per 100 ml. These details can help you choose a culinary base, but they don’t guarantee the texture of the finished recipe.
If you’re only making one snack at a time, check the pack size and storage instructions after opening before choosing a larger pack.
If you want to drink it or pour it over cereal, check the product description. A plant-based coconut drink and culinary coconut milk can have very different compositions.
First decide whether your recipe calls for culinary coconut milk or a plant-based drink, then compare the ingredients and pack size based on how many snacks you plan to make.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and coconut flavour | The product description (“coconut milk”), the proportion of coconut extract and the fat content per 100 ml. | For a dessert cream or thick smoothie, I look for a base with a composition that suits the texture I want. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise texture and coconut flavour. |
| Pack size and leftovers | The pack size and storage instructions after opening. | If I’m only making one snack, I’d rather be able to use the contents within the time stated on the packaging. Pack size and managing leftovers would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | The product category, ingredients list and any thickeners. | Before choosing, I want to tell the difference between culinary coconut milk, coconut cream and a coconut drink, without relying on the word “mature” alone. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise checking the ingredients. |
| As a drink | Whether it’s labelled as a “drink” or “coconut milk”, then the composition of the specific product. | For cereal or a drink, I don’t necessarily need a thick culinary base. This use would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
E.Leclerc product listings show 3.2% coconut extract and 0.9 g of fat per 100 ml for the VEGE drink, compared with 81% extract and 17 g of fat per 100 ml for Tables du Monde coconut milk. These products therefore aren’t suited to the same needs in a thick mixture.
For a flan, cream or ice cream, check the product description and compare its composition with what the recipe calls for.
The Codex Alimentarius distinguishes between coconut milk and coconut cream, among other products. The word “mature” doesn’t tell you, on its own, the proportion of coconut extract or the fat content of the product you’re holding.
Check the product category, ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product before using it in a snack.
Any leftovers must be stored according to the instructions on the packaging. The product listing for Auchan semi-thick coconut milk, 200 ml, says to refrigerate it and use it within 48 hours of opening; this instruction applies to that product only.
Choose a pack size that suits your recipe or plan when you’ll use the leftovers. For food stored in the fridge, ANSES recommends keeping it in the coldest part, at between 0 and +4 °C.
An opened pack can go to waste if you can’t use the leftovers in time.
A product suited to a thick cream isn’t necessarily what you need for a drink or cereal. The Auchan listing for semi-thick coconut milk gives a fat content of 24 g per 100 ml. This figure applies to that product, not to all coconut milk.
Start with how you plan to use it, then compare the nutritional values per 100 ml and the amount your recipe calls for.
These products illustrate different pack sizes and categories to compare; their features don’t apply to every product from each brand.
Organic culinary coconut milk in a 330 ml carton, for recipes that call for a coconut base.
Culinary coconut milk in a 400 ml tin, worth considering when you’re planning to make several recipes.
Semi-thick coconut milk in a 200 ml pack, for making a smaller quantity.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a plant-based coconut drink rather than culinary coconut milk for a thick recipe.
Coconut milk in a 400 ml tin, sold by Aldi.
These pack sizes of culinary coconut milk are worth considering for homemade desserts or snacks. Choose the quantity to suit your recipe, and check the composition and storage instructions after opening on the specific product.
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The 150 ml pack could suit you if you’re making one small snack and want to keep leftovers to a minimum.
The product description states that it contains 18% fat. Check the storage instructions if you don’t use the whole pack.
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The 200 ml pack is worth considering for a small recipe rather than several dishes.
The product description specifies UHT treatment. To compare fat content, check the nutritional information on the packaging of the specific product.
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The 400 ml pack is worth considering if your recipe calls for more coconut milk or you’re planning to make several dishes.
If you’re making just one small recipe, plan how you’ll use the leftovers according to the instructions on the packaging.
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Compare the 500 ml pack with the amount you’ll need for your dessert or smoothie.
The product description states that it contains 18% fat. If the composition matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific product.
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The 1 L pack is worth considering if you’re planning to make several recipes rather than one small snack.
The product description gives a fat content range of 17 to 19%. Before opening, plan how you’ll use the contents within the storage period stated on the packaging.
First check the product description, then the proportion of coconut extract and the fat content per 100 ml. For example, E.Leclerc’s product listings show 3.2% coconut extract for the VEGE drink and 81% for Tables du Monde coconut milk. Check the specific product before swapping one for the other in a recipe.
Follow the storage instructions and use-by period stated on the packaging, then cover and refrigerate any leftovers. The Auchan semi-thick product featured here should be used within 48 hours of opening; don’t automatically apply this period to other products. ANSES recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 and +4 °C.
Check the product description, ingredients, nutritional values per 100 ml, pack size and storage instructions after opening. These details help you compare specific products based on the texture you want and the quantity you need, without assuming what’s in them from the word “mature” alone.