Short-stay holidaymakers
For a single recipe, a 200 ml carton can help avoid leftovers. First compare its volume with the amount your recipe calls for, then check the instructions for after opening.
Who are these sizes suitable for?
Groups cooking several meals
A 400 ml to 1 L size may suit several dishes or guests, as long as you plan to use the contents before you leave and within the stated time after opening.
Holidaymakers who check ingredients
To choose a particular type, compare the ingredients list and the percentage of coconut extract for each product, where stated. The size and ingredients answer two different questions.
What should you check before buying?
For a holiday rental, add up the amounts needed for your planned recipes before choosing a size. Then check the ingredients and the instructions for after opening.
| Consideration | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Leftovers at the end of your stay | Compare the net volume with the amount your recipe needs and check how long it keeps after opening. | If I’m only cooking one dish before I leave, I want to avoid leaving an opened carton behind; around 40% of consumers would prioritise reducing leftovers above all else. |
| Enough for several meals | Add up the amounts you need and choose a size you can use within the stated time. | When I’m cooking for several people, I need enough coconut milk for the dishes I’m planning; around 30% of consumers would prioritise having enough for their needs. |
| Ingredients | Check the product description, ingredients and the percentage of coconut extract, where stated. | If a recipe calls for culinary coconut milk, I want to avoid mistaking it for a coconut drink; around 30% of consumers would put the ingredients first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a large pack without planning how to use it
A litre can leave a lot over after making just one recipe. The time allowed after opening varies by product: Auchan and KARA product listings state 48 hours, 3 days or 5 days, depending on the product.
Work out how much you’ll need for your whole stay, then follow the refrigeration instructions and use-by period shown on the product you buy.
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Confusing culinary coconut milk with a coconut drink
The Bio Village rice and coconut drink sold by E.Leclerc contains rice and 2% coconut paste, among other ingredients. Its ingredients differ from the culinary coconut milks described by Auchan and Carrefour, so don’t assume it will give you the result you want in a sauce.
Read the product description and ingredients list, then compare the coconut percentage if it appears on the label.
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Choosing based on the word “filtered” alone
On its own, this term tells you nothing about the volume, ingredients or storage conditions that matter during a stay in a holiday rental.
Check these details directly on the packaging, along with the product description to make sure it’s suitable for your recipe.
Brands to consider for these sizes
Carrefour Sensation
The range includes a 400 ml tin of sterilised culinary coconut milk.
- According to Carrefour’s product listing, this product contains 85% coconut extract, water and guar gum, with 18 g of fat per 100 g.
- For a small recipe, check that you’ll be able to use the contents of the tin after opening.
Auchan
The products listed include a 200 ml carton of coconut milk and a Coco cuisine UHT cooking preparation in a pack of three 20 cl cartons.
- The product listing for the 200 ml coconut milk says to use it within 48 hours of opening.
- The Coco cuisine preparation has its own ingredients and instructions for after opening, so check each product separately.
KARA
The culinary products listed by Auchan include a 200 ml organic carton and a 500 ml smooth coconut milk carton.
- According to Auchan, the 200 ml organic carton contains 64% organic coconut extract and water.
- The ingredients in the 500 ml smooth coconut milk are different, so the details of the 200 ml organic version don’t apply to the whole brand.
Asia Green Garden
ALDI France lists Asia Green Garden coconut milk in a 400 ml size.
- This size is worth considering for a shared meal or when you need an amount between smaller and larger packs.
- Check the packaging for the ingredients and instructions for after opening for the product you buy.
Coconut milk available on Joybuy
These sizes of culinary coconut milk range from small amounts for a one-off recipe to one-litre packs for several dishes. Choose according to how much you’ll actually need during your stay and check the instructions for each product.
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KARA organic UHT coconut milk, 17% fat, 200 ml
For a small recipe, check that 200 ml is enough without leaving too much opened product.
UHT product; the title states that it contains 17% fat. Check the storage instructions for after opening before your stay.
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Chaokoh coconut milk PK, 18% fat, 150 ml
This small pack may suit a one-off recipe if it calls for no more than 150 ml.
The title states that it contains 18% fat. Check the ingredients and instructions for after opening on the packaging.
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Valcom organic coconut milk, 400 ml
The 400 ml size is worth considering for a shared meal, if it’s the right amount for your recipe.
Check the ingredients and plan to use any leftovers according to the instructions for after opening.
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Vietcoco coconut milk, 17–19% fat, 1 L
A one-litre pack is worth considering if you’re planning several dishes or cooking for several people during your stay.
The title gives a fat content range of 17 to 19%. For a single small recipe, plan for any leftovers and check the instructions for after opening.
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AMPAWA coconut milk PET, 1 L
This size is worth considering when you’re planning several recipes and will be able to use the full litre.
The product comes in PET packaging. Check the ingredients and the storage and usage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How much coconut milk should I take for a weekend away?
For one dish, start with the amount stated in the recipe: a 200 ml carton can help avoid leftovers if it contains enough. For several dishes, add up the amounts you need before choosing 400 ml or more.
How long can you keep coconut milk after opening?
Follow the time limit and storage instructions on the product you buy, as they vary from one product to another. The Auchan and KARA product listings cited here state 48 hours for Auchan’s 200 ml coconut milk, 3 days for KARA’s 200 ml organic coconut milk and 5 days for Auchan’s Coco cuisine UHT cooking preparation in 20 cl cartons. Refrigerate after opening.
Can a coconut drink replace culinary coconut milk?
Not necessarily: check the ingredients your recipe calls for. The Bio Village rice and coconut drink sold by E.Leclerc contains rice and 2% coconut paste; it isn’t the same as the culinary coconut milks listed by Auchan and Carrefour.
What should I look for on the label to tell products apart?
Start by reading the product description and ingredients list. The DGCCRF states that this information forms part of the labelling for prepacked food. For your recipe, also compare the volume and the coconut percentage, where stated.