Who are these options for?

Anyone preparing sauces in large quantities

For curries and other saucy dishes, you’ll need to plan how much to make and be able to adjust the consistency as you cook.

Anyone making coconut desserts or cocktails

If your recipe needs a thicker texture, make sure you know the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream. Auchan describes its Vietcoco coconut cream as thicker than coconut milk.

Anyone in charge of shopping and serving

You’ll need to keep information about the products you use close to hand, particularly so you can check ingredients, allergens, dates and storage conditions.

What should you check before buying?

For a wedding buffet, start with the recipes and quantities you need to prepare, then check the labels of the products you plan to use.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Recipe texture Check the product description and try it out before changing the ingredient specified in the recipe. Auchan describes its Vietcoco coconut cream as thicker than coconut milk. Whether you’re adjusting a sauce or making a dessert that needs to stay thick, consistency matters from the moment you choose your ingredients. Around 40% of consumers are thought to put this first.
Pack size and quantity Work out how much your recipes require, then compare the pack sizes available and the storage instructions for once they’re opened. Carrefour and Auchan, for example, list products in 200 ml, 500 ml and 1 L sizes. When you’re making several dishes, opening too many containers can make things harder, but you’ll also need to manage any leftovers from opened packs. Quantity and pack size are thought to be a priority for around 30% of consumers.
Labelling and storage Read the ingredients, any allergens listed, the net quantity, the date and the storage instructions for the product you buy. If you’re serving several products, you’ll want to be able to find their details and follow their storage instructions. This check is thought to come first for around 30% of consumers.

Buffet mistakes to avoid

  • Mixing up coconut drinks, coconut milk and coconut cream

    These product descriptions don’t necessarily mean the same thing or indicate the same texture. Carrefour lists Alpro coconut plant-based drink separately from coconut milk for cooking, while Auchan describes its Vietcoco coconut cream as thicker than coconut milk.

    Check which product the recipe calls for and try it out before making a substitution in a large batch.

  • Choosing a pack size without working out how much you need

    A larger container can mean opening fewer packs, but you’ll also need to consider how much will be left over after cooking.

    Work out the total quantity from your recipes, then choose suitable pack sizes and check the storage instructions for once they’re opened.

  • Throwing away the packaging before serving

    Labels help you check the ingredients and product-specific information for everything you’re serving at the buffet.

    Keep the packaging, or a clear photo of the labels on the products you’ve bought, until service is over.

Retailers and brands to know

Carrefour

A retailer where you can compare cooking coconut milk in different pack sizes, as well as coconut plant-based drink, which you’ll need to distinguish according to your recipe.

  • Carrefour’s product listings include Kara coconut milk in a 500 ml carton, described as fluid, and Tantie coconut milk in a 1 L carton.
  • A coconut plant-based drink appearing in the results doesn’t mean it can replace coconut milk for cooking.

Auchan

A retailer where you can tell the difference between coconut milk, coconut cream and other coconut-based cooking products.

  • Auchan’s category includes coconut milk in 200 ml and 500 ml sizes.
  • The thicker texture mentioned on the Vietcoco coconut cream product page applies to that product; check each item before changing a recipe.

Alpro

The Alpro coconut product listed in Carrefour’s results is a 1 L plant-based drink, not coconut milk for cooking.

  • The description ‘coconut plant-based drink’ helps you identify its intended use.
  • If your buffet recipe calls for coconut milk for cooking, don’t substitute this product without checking the recipe and the label.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use coconut cream instead of coconut milk for a buffet?

Not without checking the texture the recipe needs. Auchan describes its Vietcoco coconut cream as thicker than coconut milk, so try it out before preparing a large quantity.

What should you look for on the label of packaged coconut milk?

For a prepacked product sold in France, the DGCCRF says the label must include details such as the product name, ingredients list, nutritional information and net quantity. Also check for any allergens, the relevant date and the storage instructions on the product you plan to use.