People who cook small portions
For a curry, sauce or dessert made in a small batch, a 200 ml carton saves you opening a 400 ml container. The Auchan multipack of 3 × 20 cl lets you keep the other cartons sealed for future recipes.
Who are these formats for?
People who pay close attention to ingredients and texture
If the ingredients matter more to you than having individual portions, compare the percentage of coconut extract, the ingredients list and the fat content of products designed for cooking. Carrefour Bio, for example, offers a 400 ml tin containing 76% organic coconut extract.
People preparing a lunchbox
Your choice depends on how you plan to use the product: a mini carton for cooking is for making a recipe, while a pot of dessert is for when you want something ready to eat. If the dessert is sold chilled, make sure you can keep it cold during transport.
What should you check before buying?
If your shopping could also include something for a lunchbox, first distinguish between an ingredient for cooking and a ready-to-eat dessert. Then choose the container based on how much you’ll use and how it needs to be stored.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per opening | Number of containers, volume of each and stated storage time after opening. | I cook one or two portions and would rather not open a large container for just a few spoonfuls; around 36% of consumers prioritise how much they need to open. |
| Cooking results | Product description, percentage of coconut extract and fat content per 100 ml. | For a sauce or cooked dessert, I want to choose a product that suits the recipe, rather than relying on the word ‘coconut’ alone; around 29% of consumers put cooking results first. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients list and percentage of coconut extract; check whether it’s organic if that matters to you. | When comparing products for my shopping, I want to know what’s in them before choosing a format; around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Storage and transport | Storage instructions before and after opening; check the stated temperature for any product sold chilled. | If I’m taking coconut dessert in a lunchbox, I need to be able to store it as directed until mealtime; around 14% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing an ingredient for cooking with a dessert
Coconut milk for curries or sauces, a plant-based drink and a plant-based dessert all have different uses. Sharing one ingredient — coconut — doesn’t mean they can be used in place of one another.
Read the product description and suggested use on the packaging before choosing something for a recipe or lunchbox.
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Assuming ‘multipack’ means small pots
The Auchan multipack of 3 × 20 cl contains coconut preparation in cartons. The word ‘multipack’ alone doesn’t tell you what type of container it comes in or whether the product is ready to eat as it is.
Check the number of units, their volume, the type of container and the product description together.
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Assuming all opened cartons keep for the same length of time
Storage instructions vary by product: Auchan says to keep its 200 ml carton of coconut milk in the fridge for 48 hours, and its 3 × 20 cl coconut preparation for 5 days at between 0 °C and +6 °C. The Kara Light product information says to refrigerate it for 3 days.
Follow the instructions for the product you buy, and plan how you’ll use the remainder before opening a carton.
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Taking chilled dessert with you without keeping it cold
A product sold chilled needs to be kept at the right temperature while you’re shopping and travelling. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag for chilled fresh products when shopping.
Check the instructions on the packaging and plan your journey so you can keep the product at the stated temperature until it can be stored correctly again.
Brands and ranges to compare
Auchan
Two cooking formats to compare, depending on how many recipes you’re planning: a 200 ml carton of coconut milk and a multipack of 3 × 20 cl UHT coconut preparation.
- The multipack lets you open the cartons separately; Auchan’s product information states that this cooking preparation contains 17% fat.
- These products are for cooking, not ready-to-eat desserts in small pots.
Carrefour Bio
A 400 ml tin of organic coconut milk for recipes that call for a larger amount.
- Carrefour’s product information specifies 76% organic coconut extract and lists water and guar gum among the ingredients.
- If your recipe only needs a small amount, you’ll need to plan how to use the rest after opening.
Kara
Kara Light in a 200 ml carton is a smaller format of coconut milk for cooking.
- Its size makes it easy to compare with other 200 ml cartons, depending on the recipe you’re planning.
- Auchan’s product information says to keep it in the fridge and use it within 3 days of opening.
Alpro
A range of plant-based products to consider if you’re looking for coconut dessert rather than coconut milk for cooking.
- The Carrefour catalogue includes an Alpro plant-based coconut dessert in a 500 g pot.
- A large pot of dessert isn’t automatically a substitute for a mini carton of coconut milk for cooking or an individual lunchbox portion.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multipack of coconut milk suitable for a lunchbox?
Not necessarily: the Auchan multipack of 3 × 20 cl is for cooking, not a dessert in small pots. If you want something ready to eat as it is, check that the product is a dessert, and look at the container size and storage instructions.
How long can you keep an opened carton of coconut milk?
Follow the instructions on the carton you’ve bought, as storage times vary by product. Auchan’s product information says to keep its 200 ml coconut milk in the fridge for 48 hours and its 3 × 20 cl coconut preparation for 5 days at between 0 °C and +6 °C. Kara Light’s product information says to refrigerate it for 3 days.
How should you transport coconut dessert from the chilled aisle?
Keep it at the temperature stated on the packaging while you’re travelling and until you eat it. For chilled fresh products, the DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag when shopping. Also check how you’ll keep the dessert cold once it’s in your lunchbox.
Can I use coconut dessert instead of coconut milk in a recipe?
Don’t assume they’re interchangeable: coconut milk for cooking is intended for recipes, while a plant-based dessert is sold ready to eat as it is. Before substituting one for the other in a recipe, compare the product descriptions, ingredients and quantities required.