Who is this choice for?

Hosts making a dish or dessert to share

For a curry, sauce or dessert, choose culinary coconut milk in a quantity that suits your recipe and the number of guests.

Hosts keeping an eye on leftovers

A small carton may be enough for a smaller recipe. If you open a 1 L carton, plan how to use the remainder and follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve bought.

Anyone unsure which type of coconut to choose

If the recipe mentions “pre-grated” or simply “coconut”, check whether it calls for culinary coconut milk, a plant-based drink or desiccated coconut before comparing brands.

What should you check before buying?

First, identify the type specified in the recipe. Then consider the quantity and ingredients.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
How it’s used in the recipe Check the product description: culinary coconut milk, coconut plant-based drink or desiccated coconut. For culinary coconut milk, compare the ingredients too. I’m making a sauce or dessert and don’t want to replace the specified liquid ingredient with a drink or dry topping; around 43% of consumers would put suitability for the recipe first.
Quantity and leftovers Work out how much you need from the recipe, then check the instructions for after opening. The products mentioned are available in 200 mL, 400 mL and 1 L sizes. If I’m cooking for several guests, I want the right quantity without leaving an opened carton unused; around 29% of consumers would make quantity and leftovers their main concern.
Ingredients and labelling Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the product you’re buying, and check its storage instructions too. Before serving my guests, I need to know what’s in the product I’ve actually bought; around 28% of consumers would prioritise this information over other criteria.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing the different types of coconut

    Culinary coconut milk, a coconut plant-based drink and desiccated coconut are different products and are used differently in recipes.

    Read the recipe again to confirm which ingredient it calls for before choosing a brand or pack size.

  • Opening a litre without planning how to use the rest

    Joybuy’s product listings for Kara and Coco-D say to refrigerate after opening and use within 3 to 4 days. This advice does not automatically apply to other products.

    Choose a size to suit the recipes you have planned and follow the instructions on the packaging you’ve bought.

  • Assuming all coconut milk has the same ingredients

    According to Carrefour’s product listings, Carrefour Bio contains 76% coconut extract and guar gum, while Real Thai lists 85% coconut extract and water.

    Compare the ingredients and proportions for the specific products you’re considering, rather than assuming the same applies to an entire brand.

  • Relying only on an online listing for allergen information

    If any of your guests have an allergy or intolerance, check the ingredients of the specific product you’re serving on its packaging.

    Read the label on the product you receive before serving it, and don’t substitute another product without checking it too.

Brands and products to know

Carrefour Bio

An organic culinary coconut milk in a 400 mL carton.

  • According to Carrefour’s product listing, it contains 76% organic coconut extract, water and guar gum. Its nutritional information lists 17 g of fat per 100 mL.
  • These details apply to this 400 mL product, not to all Carrefour coconut milk.

Real Thai

A culinary coconut milk in a 200 mL carton.

  • Its Carrefour product listing gives the ingredients as 85% coconut extract and water, and lists 19 g of fat per 100 mL.
  • For a larger recipe, work out how many 200 mL cartons you’ll need.

Kara

A 1 L carton of UHT culinary coconut milk. Its Joybuy product listing suggests it for curries, soups, sauces and desserts.

  • Joybuy’s product listing states that it contains 90% coconut extract, water and stabilisers.
  • After opening, the listing says to refrigerate it and use within 3 to 4 days.

Chaokoh

A 1 L carton of culinary coconut milk. Its Joybuy product listing suggests it for savoury and sweet recipes.

  • The listing states that it contains 18% fat.
  • It lists the stabiliser E435, so compare the ingredients if the product’s composition matters to you.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a coconut plant-based drink instead of culinary coconut milk?

Don’t swap one for the other without checking the recipe. Carrefour lists culinary coconut milk and coconut plant-based drinks separately, so check the product description and ingredients of the one you plan to use.

What should you look for on a coconut milk label?

Start by checking the product description, ingredients, allergen information and net quantity. To plan your cooking and make use of leftovers, also check the date and storage instructions on the product.

How should you store an opened carton of coconut milk after the garden party?

Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. Joybuy’s product listings for Kara and Coco-D say to refrigerate after opening and use within 3 to 4 days. Check the packaging before applying this advice to another product.

Is online allergen information enough when serving guests?

No. If a guest has an allergy or intolerance, read the label on the product you’ve actually received before serving it. Check this information again if you switch to a different product.