Who is this guide for?

Parents making a single recipe

For an occasional snack, you’ll want a pack size close to the amount required by the recipe, so you’re not left with much over. Carrefour and Auchan both list 200 ml cartons of culinary coconut milk.

Anyone making creamy coconut recipes

If texture matters in a dessert or sauce, compare the stated texture and coconut content of the product you’re considering. Ingredient lists published by Carrefour and Auchan show that recipes vary between products.

Anyone choosing between a liquid and desiccated coconut

Your recipe may call for culinary coconut milk, a coconut plant drink or desiccated coconut. Check the product description to avoid choosing an ingredient intended for a different use.

What should you check before buying?

For holiday snacks, first check which ingredient the recipe calls for, then compare the amount you need and the ingredients in culinary coconut milk.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Quantity and leftovers Amount required by the recipe; storage instructions once opened. If I’m only making one snack, I want to use the amount I need without having lots left over. Around 40% of shoppers in this group prioritise pack size.
Recipe texture Stated texture and the proportion of coconut extract in the ingredients list. For a dessert where consistency matters, I look for coconut milk that will give me the result I want. Texture is the top priority for around 30% of shoppers in this group.
Product type and ingredients Product description and ingredients list: culinary coconut milk, plant drink or desiccated coconut. Before I start cooking, I want to make sure I’ve bought the ingredient the recipe calls for, without confusing a cooking liquid with a desiccated product. Around 30% of shoppers in this group put product type and ingredients first.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Using a coconut plant drink instead of culinary coconut milk

    Carrefour lists one coconut milk product among its cooking aids, while Alpro describes one of its products as a coconut-based plant drink. They may have different ingredients and uses.

    If your recipe calls for coconut milk for cooking, check the product description and ingredients list before substituting one for the other.

  • Choosing based on coconut content alone

    The products listed by Carrefour and Auchan have different coconut percentages and ingredients. The percentage of coconut alone isn’t enough to predict the consistency you’ll get in a recipe.

    Also compare the stated texture, other ingredients and the amount required for your recipe.

  • Opening a large pack for a small one-off recipe

    A pack that’s larger than you need will leave you with product to use after opening.

    Check how much you need and read the storage instructions on the pack you choose.

Brands to know when comparing products

Carrefour

The retailer lists culinary coconut milk in several sizes, as well as desiccated coconut, which is sold as a separate product.

  • Carrefour product pages let you compare options such as a 200 ml carton, a 330 ml carton and a 400 ml can.
  • Check the ingredients and size of the specific product before choosing.

Auchan

The retailer lists culinary coconut milk in 200 ml cartons, as well as larger sizes.

  • Its product pages distinguish between some textures, including a 200 ml semi-thick option.
  • Check the texture and ingredients of each product rather than assuming them from the pack size alone.

Kara

The brand features among the culinary coconut milk products listed by Auchan, including pourable varieties.

  • Auchan’s product page for the 500 ml pourable carton states that it contains 64% fresh coconut extract.
  • A pourable version and a light version aren’t the same, so compare their ingredients and intended uses.

Vietcoco

Carrefour and Auchan both list Vietcoco coconut milk in a 400 ml can.

  • Product pages for this item state that it contains 85% coconut.
  • That percentage alone doesn’t tell you whether the texture will suit a particular recipe; also check how much you’ll need.

Alpro

Alpro offers a coconut-based plant drink, which is different from culinary coconut milk.

  • The description ‘plant drink’ helps you identify what the product is intended for.
  • Don’t automatically choose it for a recipe that calls for culinary coconut milk: check the product description and ingredients.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a coconut plant drink replace coconut milk for cooking?

Not automatically: the two products are intended for different uses. If your recipe calls for culinary coconut milk, compare the product description and ingredients before considering a substitute.

What size should I choose for a single snack?

Choose a pack that covers the amount required by the recipe without leaving you with unnecessary leftovers. Carrefour and Auchan list 200 ml options. If you’re planning several dishes, compare larger sizes too and read the storage instructions for once the pack is open.

What should I look for on a coconut milk label?

Start with the product description, net quantity and ingredients list, including the coconut content if it’s stated. For pre-packed food in France, the DGCCRF also lists nutrition information and the applicable date among the labelling details to check.

Can desiccated coconut replace coconut milk?

Not directly in a recipe that calls for a liquid or a sauce. Desiccated coconut is a dry ingredient, so choose it when the recipe calls for a topping or a shredded texture.