If you drink it regularly, choose a coconut plant-based drink that is explicitly labelled ‘lactose-free’. Save concentrated coconut milk for recipes that need its thicker texture. If you want to buy around 2 L in total, check how many cartons are in the pack: two 1 L cartons are not the same as one 2 L bottle. Also compare the sugar content and how soon the product needs to be used after opening.
You’re looking for a plant-based drink for breakfast, cereal or other drinks. Whether the product is labelled ‘lactose-free’ and how long it will take you to finish an opened carton are both important when making your choice.
You want to tell the difference between a drink containing 0 g of sugars and one labelled ‘no added sugars’, then compare their nutritional information and ingredients.
You’re looking for concentrated coconut milk for curries, sauces or desserts, rather than a plant-based drink designed to be enjoyed as it is.
First decide whether you’ll use coconut as a drink or a cooking ingredient. If you buy it regularly, then check the recipe, pack size and storage instructions after opening.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Lactose-free drink | That the product is described as a ‘plant-based drink’ and that the chosen product is labelled ‘lactose-free’. | If you want to replace a dairy drink in cereal or coffee, look for a product that clearly states it contains no lactose. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this for an everyday drink. |
| Declared sugar content | The ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 ml, and the difference between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’. | If sugar content guides your choice, don’t confuse a recipe with no added sugar with a drink containing 0 g of sugars. Around 29% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Cooking use | The proportion of coconut and the fat content per 100 ml, depending on the recipe you’re planning to make. | For a curry or sauce, you’ll want the thicker texture of concentrated coconut milk, not a drink to pour into a glass. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise using it for cooking. |
| Quantity and storage | The number of cartons, the pack’s total volume and the instructions for use after opening. | You may buy several litres for your household, but prefer to open the cartons one at a time so you can finish each one in time. Around 14% of consumers would put a manageable quantity first. |
These products serve different purposes: Auchan and Carrefour list 1 g and 19 g of fat per 100 ml respectively for Auchan coconut drink and Real Thai coconut milk.
Check how the product is intended to be used and its nutritional values before choosing between a drink and a cooking ingredient.
Carrefour Bio’s product information says its coconut drink with no added sugars contains naturally occurring sugars. Auchan’s product information for Alpro sugar-free coconut drink, on the other hand, lists 0 g of sugars per 100 ml.
Check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.
A product listed by Carrefour as ‘2 x 1 litre’ contains two cartons. The Bjorg pack listed by Auchan contains 3 L across several cartons.
Check the number of units and the volume of each one if you want to buy around 2 L or more.
Auchan’s product information for Auchan and Alpro coconut drinks says to use them within 5 days of opening and keep them refrigerated; the Bjorg multipack information gives a 4-day limit.
Choose a quantity that suits how you use it, and follow the instructions on each opened carton.
Auchan’s product information features 1 L coconut plant-based drinks, including coconut & rice and sugar-free coconut.
Auchan’s coconut plant-based drink is sold in a 1 L carton, according to its product information.
Carrefour lists a 1 L organic coconut plant-based drink labelled ‘no added sugars’.
Bjorg organic coconut drink is included in a multipack listed by Auchan as ‘2 x 1 L + 1 L free’.
Carrefour lists a 1 L coconut milk for cooking, which is different from coconut plant-based drinks.
Not as a like-for-like substitute when a recipe calls for concentrated coconut milk. Auchan and Carrefour list 1 g of fat per 100 ml for Auchan coconut drink and 19 g for Real Thai coconut milk respectively. Choose according to the texture you need and the recipe instructions.
No. Carrefour Bio’s product information says its coconut drink with no added sugars contains naturally occurring sugars, while Auchan’s information for Alpro sugar-free coconut drink lists 0 g of sugars per 100 ml. Compare the nutritional information for the product you choose.
Follow the instructions on the carton. The Auchan product information reviewed for Auchan and Alpro coconut drinks says to refrigerate them after opening and use them within 5 days; the Bjorg multipack listed by Auchan gives a limit of 4 days.
No. The label for this Auchan product says it should not be the sole food for infants under 12 months unless advised by a paediatrician. This information applies to the product mentioned and is not a substitute for advice tailored to an infant’s diet.