For a curry, sauce or dessert, choose culinary coconut milk rather than a coconut drink or plant-based dessert: they serve different purposes. Then compare the ingredients and coconut content to find the right option for your recipe. If you need to avoid gluten or all dairy products strictly, check the claims and ingredients on the packaging of the product you buy. A recipe that lists neither wheat nor milk is not enough to confirm either of these points.
If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, check for an appropriate claim or assurance on the product you buy. Don’t rely solely on the fact that no obvious grains appear in the ingredients. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of the requirements that apply to ‘gluten-free’ claims.
For curries, sauces and desserts, compare the coconut extract content, added ingredients and nutritional values of culinary products. Product information from E.Leclerc and Auchan shows that ingredients vary between products.
If you’re looking for a drink or a ready-to-eat dessert, consider this category separately from culinary coconut milk. E.Leclerc, for example, lists a rice and coconut drink, while Carrefour lists an Alpro coconut plant-based dessert.
Start by distinguishing culinary products from drinks and desserts. Then check the ingredients, any claims relevant to your needs and the pack size on each product.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and dairy | Check the ‘gluten-free’ claim, ingredients list and allergens separately on the packaging you buy. A ‘lactose-free’ claim alone does not meet the needs of someone avoiding all dairy products. | If I need to avoid gluten and dairy strictly, I can’t decide based on the recipe’s appearance alone; around 42% of consumers put this check first. |
| Ingredients for cooking | For culinary coconut milk, compare the coconut extract content and added ingredients. Check the fat content using the same nutritional basis. | If I’m making a sauce or curry, I want to choose ingredients that suit my recipe rather than a coconut drink; this is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Product type and pack size | Look for the product description ‘coconut milk’, ‘drink’ or ‘plant-based dessert’, then choose a volume that suits how you plan to use it. | If I want a coconut drink or a dessert to serve, I’m looking for the right type of product and a practical pack size; around 25% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
These claims address different needs. Carrefour describes a specific Alpro plant-based dessert as lactose-free and gluten-free, but those claims don’t apply to other coconut products.
For each product you’re considering, check the ingredients, allergens and gluten-free claim separately to make sure it meets your needs.
This could change the result of your recipe. Product information from Auchan and E.Leclerc lists 44% to 64% coconut extract in the culinary products mentioned, while E.Leclerc lists 2% coconut paste in its Bio Village rice and coconut drink.
For a sauce or curry, start with the culinary product specified in the recipe, then compare the ingredients. Choose a drink for the purpose you have in mind.
Storage instructions vary by product. For its Bjorg coconut milk, Auchan advises storing it in the fridge and using it within four days of opening.
Before choosing a pack size, read the storage instructions on the packaging and consider how much you’ll use once it’s opened.
These brand and product examples can help you compare product types and ingredients. Check the details of the specific product you’re considering.
Auchan lists KARA organic culinary coconut milk in a 20 cl carton, for sweet or savoury recipes.
E.Leclerc lists ECO + culinary coconut milk in a 200 ml carton.
E.Leclerc lists Tables du Monde culinary coconut milk in a 200 ml carton.
Carrefour lists an Alpro coconut and stracciatella plant-based dessert. It’s a dessert, not a neutral culinary coconut milk.
Aldi lists ASIA GREEN GARDEN coconut milk in a 400 ml pack, which you can compare with culinary cartons depending on how much you need.
These products are intended for cooking: four are coconut milks and one is coconut cream. Compare the product type and pack size with your recipe. If you need to avoid gluten strictly, check for an appropriate claim on the packaging you buy.
Image unavailable
A coconut milk to consider for recipes that call for a small culinary pack.
The product name indicates 17% fat and a volume of 200 ml. Check the ingredients and, if needed, the gluten-free claim on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Choose this product if your recipe calls for coconut cream; don’t automatically substitute it for coconut milk.
The product name indicates 24% fat and a volume of 200 ml. Check the ingredients and any gluten-free claim relevant to your purchase on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Consider the 1 L pack when your recipe calls for a similar quantity of culinary coconut milk.
The product name indicates 17–19% fat. Check the ingredients, any gluten-free claim you need and the instructions for after opening on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Compare this carton with other culinary pack sizes, depending on the quantity your recipe calls for.
The product name indicates 18% fat and a volume of 500 ml. Read the ingredients and, if you need to avoid gluten strictly, check for a gluten-free claim on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Consider this coconut milk if your recipe calls for a 400 ml culinary pack.
The product name indicates 19% fat. Check the ingredients and any gluten-free claim you need directly on the packaging.
Not on that basis alone: check for a ‘gluten-free’ claim or suitable assurance on the specific product. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of the requirements for this claim. The fact that no wheat is listed in the recipe is not enough to confirm the status of the packaging you buy.
Don’t substitute it automatically. First check what the recipe calls for and compare the ingredients of both products. For example, E.Leclerc lists 2% coconut paste in its Bio Village rice and coconut drink, while the culinary products mentioned by Auchan and E.Leclerc contain between 44% and 64% coconut extract.
Follow the instructions for the product you buy, as they can vary. For its Bjorg coconut milk, Auchan advises refrigerating it and using it within four days of opening.