Fans of creamy coconut breakfasts
For porridge, hot chocolate or a spiced drink, check the percentage of coconut extract and the fat content per 100 ml. Carrefour and Auchan product pages show that these figures vary between products.
Who are these options for?
Shoppers who care about organic certification
If organic certification is a deciding factor, look for the EU organic logo, the control body code and the origin of the agricultural ingredients on the packaging, then check the ingredients list.
Fans of coconut coffee and lattes
If you’re mainly looking for a drink to use in coffee and froth, distinguish it from culinary coconut milk. Alpro offers a coconut option in its Barista range, but you’ll need to check whether the specific product is organic.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
For a warming winter drink or porridge, first decide between culinary coconut milk and a plant-based drink for coffee. Then compare the ingredients, nutritional information and pack size of products suited to your chosen use.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and coconut flavour | Compare the coconut extract and fat content per 100 ml, then adjust the amount you pour to suit your recipe. | For hot chocolate or porridge, I want a creamy texture and a noticeable coconut flavour. Around 33% of consumers would put this search for the right texture first. |
| Organic certification and ingredients | Look for the EU organic logo, the control code and the agricultural origin. Check the ingredients list too. | Before choosing a texture, I want to clearly identify the organic certification and know what the product contains. Around 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Latte use | Check that the product is intended for coffee, and look at its organic status on the packaging if this matters to you. | For coconut coffee, I’d prioritise a drink designed for that purpose rather than the richness of culinary coconut milk. Around 25% of consumers would make latte use their main criterion. |
| Richness and leftovers | Compare the fat and saturated fat content per 100 ml, then check the pack size and storage instructions after opening. | If I only use a little at a time, I want to consider the serving size and be able to finish the pack within the stated time. Around 17% of consumers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing culinary coconut milk with a coconut drink for coffee
Concentrated culinary coconut milk and a plant-based drink made for lattes aren’t designed to give the same texture. Alpro describes its Barista range as being for coffee drinks; that reflects the brand’s positioning, not the results of an independent test.
Decide whether you mainly want something creamy for porridge or a drink designed for coffee, then check the organic status of the exact product you’re considering.
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Assuming “organic” means every ingredient is organic
According to the European Commission, using the EU organic logo generally requires at least 95% of the agricultural ingredients to be organic, subject to the rules that apply to other ingredients. The logo doesn’t replace checking the ingredients list.
Look for the logo, the control body code and the agricultural origin shown nearby, then read the full ingredients list.
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Judging by the packaging or a “light” label alone
Carrefour and Auchan product pages show coconut milks with different proportions of coconut extract and different nutritional values. A label on the front of the pack isn’t enough to compare two portions used in the same recipe.
Check the coconut extract, fat and saturated fat content per 100 ml for each product you’re comparing.
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Forgetting the instructions for after opening
Instructions vary by product. Auchan’s product page for KARA organic coconut milk says to refrigerate it and use it within three days of opening.
Choose a pack size that suits the amount you’ll use, and follow the instructions on your packaging.
Brands to know when comparing coconut options
Carrefour Bio
Carrefour offers organic culinary coconut milk in a 330 ml carton and a 400 ml tin.
- The product pages state that these products contain 76% coconut extract and guar gum.
- For occasional use, choose the pack size that suits the amount you need and check the instructions for after opening.
Bio Village
E.Leclerc’s product page lists a 200 ml pack of organic culinary coconut milk.
- The ingredients listed are water and 47% coconut extract from organic farming.
- E.Leclerc advises contacting the relevant store to check whether this product is available.
Jardin Bio Étic
This 400 ml tin of organic culinary coconut milk is worth comparing for sweet or savoury recipes.
- Carrefour’s product page lists 68% organic coconut extract. Auchan’s page also mentions Fair for Life certification and states that 99.2% of the ingredients of agricultural origin come from fair trade.
- Compare the fat content and the amount you’ll actually pour if you’re adding it to a drink.
KARA
Auchan lists KARA organic coconut milk in a 20 cl carton, for sweet or savoury recipes.
- The product page states that it contains 64% organic coconut extract and water.
- For this product, Auchan advises refrigerating it and using it within three days of opening.
Alpro
Alpro offers a coconut-based option in its Barista range of plant-based drinks for coffee.
- The brand positions this range for coffee drinks and frothing.
- Don’t assume the range name means it’s organic. Check the packaging of the coconut drink you choose.
Joybuy products for coconut recipes
These options include two culinary coconut milks and a coconut cream. For a hot drink, make sure you distinguish between coconut cream and coconut milk, and check the organic certification and usage instructions on each pack.
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Valcom coconut milk 400 ml
Worth considering for a coconut recipe if a 400 ml pack is the right size for your needs.
If organic certification is essential to your choice, check the organic logo and control information on the packaging.
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Kara UHT coconut milk 17%, 200 ml
A 200 ml pack is worth comparing if you’re making a small amount of culinary coconut milk.
The product name states 17% fat, but the figures provided for this product differ. Check the nutritional information on the packaging before making a detailed comparison. Check the organic logo too if this is a deciding factor.
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Kara UHT coconut cream 24%, 200 ml
This is coconut cream, not coconut milk. Before choosing it for a hot drink, check that it’s suitable for the recipe you have in mind.
The pack contains 200 ml and the product name states 24% fat. Check the packaging for organic certification and instructions for after opening.
Frequently asked questions
How can you check whether coconut milk is organic?
For a pre-packed product displaying the EU organic logo, also check the control body code and the stated origin of the agricultural ingredients shown nearby. According to the European Commission, the logo is reserved for certified products that meet requirements including a minimum of 95% organic agricultural ingredients, as well as the rules that apply to other ingredients.
Can you use culinary coconut milk in a latte?
Yes, if you want to add coconut to your coffee, but don’t expect it to give the same result as a drink designed for lattes. Alpro markets its Barista range for coffee drinks and frothing. If you choose this option and want an organic product, check the certification of the specific coconut drink.
Why does some coconut milk solidify in the cold?
Some products may solidify. Auchan’s product page for Racines Bio coconut milk says this can happen below 15 °C without affecting the product’s quality. Follow the instructions for your specific product, including whether to shake it before use.
How long can you keep coconut milk once opened?
Follow the time limit stated on the packaging for your product. For example, Auchan’s product page for KARA organic coconut milk says to refrigerate it and use it within three days of opening.
Why compare saturated fat?
This figure can help you compare the nutritional information of the coconut milks you’re considering. Compare the amount per 100 ml, then take into account how much you’ll actually pour into your drink or porridge. Don’t assume that this figure alone means one product is a better fit for you.