Anyone making a dish to share
You’re cooking before you set off and want coconut milk for cooking in a quantity that suits your recipe and the number of people you’re serving.
Who are these options for?
Small groups
You want to take just the amount you need and avoid leftovers. The Carrefour range includes 200 and 250 mL cooking formats to compare with your recipe.
Anyone who wants to drink coconut
You’re looking for a coconut plant-based drink rather than an ingredient for cooking. If you choose a product sold chilled, make sure you can keep it cold while you’re out.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether you want to cook with coconut or drink it. For a recipe, compare the ingredients and the amount you need, then choose packaging that’s easy to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking or drinking | Check the product name and stated use: coconut milk for cooking or a coconut plant-based drink. | I’m making a dish or bringing a drink, so I want to choose the right category for that use. Around 40% of consumers would put this distinction at the top of their list. |
| Ingredients for your recipe | Compare the coconut extract content, the fat content and its stated reference unit, and the ingredient list for the exact product. | For my recipe, I want to choose the ingredients and texture I’m looking for, rather than relying on the product name alone. This would be a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Volume and leftovers | Match the volume to the amount your recipe calls for and check the storage instructions after opening. | For a small group, I’d rather take the amount I need than open a large container and have some left over. Around 30% of consumers would choose based on pack size first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing coconut drinks with coconut milk for cooking
The Carrefour range separates coconut plant-based drinks from coconut milk listed under cooking ingredients. Check the product name if you’re making a recipe rather than bringing a drink.
Start with how you plan to use it, then check the product name and ingredients of the one you’re considering.
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Taking a chilled product with you without keeping it cold
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain also applies when transporting food for a picnic, and recommends using a cool bag.
For a product sold chilled, use a cool bag or insulated bag with ice packs and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Choosing based only on the words “mature” or “aged”
These words don’t tell you the product name, its ingredients or how much you’ll need for your picnic.
Ask for the exact product and check its label against how you plan to use it, rather than assuming these terms tell you about its texture or flavour.
Brands to compare
Carrefour, Carrefour Bio et Carrefour Sensation
The Carrefour range includes several coconut milks for cooking under these names, in different pack types and sizes.
- The Carrefour Bio product listing states that it contains 76% coconut extract, water and guar gum.
- Check the exact product and its volume: the details for one Carrefour Bio carton don’t apply to every Carrefour product.
Real Thai
One coconut milk for cooking in the Carrefour range is listed as containing 85% coconut extract.
- The ingredient list for this product includes coconut extract and water.
- Before choosing a large pack, compare its volume with the amount your recipe needs and think about how you’ll use any leftovers.
Kara
The Carrefour range includes Kara coconut milk in several pack sizes.
- A 200 mL pack is worth comparing with the amount needed for a small recipe.
- To compare two Kara products, check the ingredients and volume on each label.
Alpro
The Carrefour range includes an Alpro coconut plant-based drink sold in the chilled aisle. This is a drink, not coconut milk for cooking.
- The name “coconut plant-based drink” makes it clear that this is different from a cooking ingredient.
- For a chilled product, plan how you’ll keep it cold in transit and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Coconut milk for cooking on Joybuy
These products are for making a recipe to take on a picnic. Compare the size of each container and, for multipacks, the total amount you’ll need or want to store. For a drink to enjoy chilled, look for a product labelled as a plant-based drink.
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Kara Organic, UHT coconut milk, 17% fat, 200 mL
The 200 mL container is a handy size if you’re planning a small amount for a recipe made before you set off.
If you plan to keep any after opening, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Wind Mill Coconut Milk, 165 mL can
The 165 mL can is worth comparing with the amount needed for a small recipe.
If you don’t use it all, check the storage instructions for after opening.
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CHAOKOH Coconut Milk 18%, pack of 6 × 250 mL
The 250 mL containers can be used to portion coconut milk for several recipes.
The pack contains 1.5 L in total, so check that this is the right amount for your recipes before choosing it.
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Sunlee Coconut Milk 17–19% BROWN (Easy Open), 400 mL
Compare the 400 mL container with the amount your sharing recipe calls for.
To understand its ingredients, check the label to see what the 17–19% refers to, and read the ingredient list.
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Valle Del Sole Coconut Milk 6%, 400 mL
This 400 mL pack could work for a dish to share if your recipe calls for that amount.
Check the label to see what “6%” refers to and compare the nutritional information with another product.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell coconut milk for cooking from a coconut plant-based drink?
Start by checking the product name and stated use on the packaging. In the Carrefour range, coconut milks for cooking are listed among cooking ingredients, while an Alpro product is labelled as a chilled coconut plant-based drink. For a recipe, also compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the product you choose.
Do you need a cool bag to take a coconut product on a picnic?
Yes, if it’s sold chilled or the label says it must be kept cold. The DGCCRF recommends using a cool bag to transport food for a picnic; make sure you also follow the instructions for the product you’re taking.
What size of coconut milk should you choose for two people or a group?
Choose a size based on the amount your recipe needs, not just the number of people you’re serving. The Carrefour range includes 200, 250, 330 and 400 mL packs, as well as a 1 L carton. A larger container is best considered if you know how you’ll use and store its contents after opening.