Anyone making a homemade snack
If you prepare a recipe before heading out, a sealed container and a suitable portion size matter more than a large volume. Auchan and E.Leclerc, for example, offer culinary coconut milk in 20 cl or 200 ml formats.
Who are these formats for?
Anyone who prefers a thinner base
For a drink or something to blend, look for coconut drinks rather than culinary coconut milk. Auchan’s organic coconut drink contains 1.8 g of fat and less than 0.5 g of protein per 100 ml. Its texture shouldn’t lead you to assume it’s high in protein.
Anyone who uses only a little coconut at a time
A small container can help limit how much is left over after preparing your recipe. If you don’t use it all, the refrigeration instructions and how soon it should be consumed after opening become important. These vary by product.
What should you check before choosing?
First decide whether you’ll carry the coconut unopened or use it in a preparation that’s already been opened. Then choose between the texture of culinary coconut milk and that of a coconut drink.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Transport and storage | The volume you need, how to store the product before opening and the refrigeration instructions once the container has been opened. | If my snack is going to sit in my bag, I want to know whether the container will stay sealed or whether the preparation needs to be kept cool. Around 40% of consumers would put these transport and storage needs first. |
| Texture and fat content | Whether it’s labelled “coconut milk” or “coconut drink”, then the fat content per 100 ml or per 100 g, as shown on the label. | For a thick recipe, I look for a culinary base; for a drink, I prefer a thinner one. Texture would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Protein in your snack | The protein content shown for the product, then the ingredients planned for the whole snack. | If I’m choosing my snack based on its protein content, I don’t want to judge it by the presence of coconut alone. This would be the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients list, the proportion of coconut extract and any organic labelling on the product you choose. | When I choose a recipe, I want to know how much coconut it contains and what other ingredients are included. Around 10% of consumers would base their choice first on the ingredients. |
Common mistakes to avoid
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Confusing culinary coconut milk with a coconut drink
These names refer to different uses. Among the Auchan products featured, the culinary coconut milk contains 17 g of fat per 100 ml, compared with 1.8 g per 100 ml for the organic coconut drink.
Choose the category that gives you the texture you want, then compare the nutritional information using the same unit.
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Following unopened-product instructions after opening
Storage at room temperature before opening doesn’t apply to a carton that’s been opened. The Auchan products featured here need to be refrigerated after opening.
If you’re carrying a preparation that needs to stay cold, follow the product instructions. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time as short as possible.
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Assuming your snack contains protein based on its type
The organic coconut drink and culinary coconut milk featured by Auchan contain less than 0.5 g and 0.8 g of protein per 100 ml, respectively.
If protein is important to you, check the nutritional information for all the ingredients in your snack rather than relying on the coconut base alone.
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Opening a large carton for one small portion
A 400 ml or 1 L container could leave you with product to store after preparing your recipe.
Compare the amount you’ll actually use with the 200 ml or 20 cl formats, then follow the after-opening guidance on the pack you choose.
Brands to consider for these formats
AUCHAN
Auchan offers UHT culinary coconut milk in a pack of 3 × 20 cl, as well as organic coconut drink in a 1 L carton.
- The small cartons of culinary coconut milk let you open only the amount you need for a recipe.
- The 1 L drink leaves more to store if you only use a small amount. Both products need to be refrigerated after opening.
CARREFOUR SENSATION
Carrefour offers 400 ml of sterilised coconut milk for cooking.
- The ingredients list states that it contains 85% coconut extract, giving you a clear point of comparison when checking ingredients.
- Consider the 400 ml size alongside the number of portions you’re planning and the storage instructions after opening.
ECO+
E.Leclerc offers coconut milk under the ECO+ brand in a 200 ml carton.
- This size is handy for preparing a small recipe. The ingredients list states that it contains 51.8% coconut extract.
- Remember to consider how much you’ll add to your recipe: this product contains 14 g of fat per 100 ml.
BIO VILLAGE
E.Leclerc offers BIO VILLAGE organic coconut milk in a 200 ml carton.
- The listed ingredients are water and 47% organic coconut extract.
- Organic labelling doesn’t replace checking the nutritional information: this product contains 18 g of fat per 100 ml.
JARDIN BIO ÉTIC
The JARDIN BIO ÉTIC product featured by Carrefour is 400 ml of organic coconut milk for cooking.
- The ingredients list states that it contains 68% organic coconut extract, water and guar gum.
- If you only use a small portion, check how to store the rest after opening.
Culinary coconut milk on Joybuy
These coconut milk formats are handy for preparing one or more small snacks. If you want a thinner base to drink, remember to distinguish them from coconut drinks before choosing.
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Chaokoh coconut milk 18% PK, 150 ml
This small container is ideal for a recipe that uses a limited amount of coconut milk. If you don’t use it all, follow the refrigeration instructions after opening.
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Kara Organic UHT coconut milk, 17% fat, 200 ml
The 200 ml format is a good size for a small recipe. Check the storage instructions if you open the carton before taking it with you.
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Chaokoh coconut milk 18%, pack of 6 × 250 ml
The six separate containers are better suited to several recipes than to one small snack. Open only the amount you need and follow the storage instructions for each opened container.
Frequently asked questions
Can I carry an unopened carton of UHT coconut milk in my gym bag?
Yes, if the label says it can be stored at room temperature before opening. That’s the case for the UHT culinary coconut milk featured by Auchan. Keep the carton sealed and follow the instructions for the product you’re carrying.
What should I do if the carton is already open before I leave?
If an opened carton needs to be refrigerated, you’ll need to keep it cold while travelling. The Auchan products featured here need to be refrigerated after opening. For transporting chilled products, the DGCCRF recommends an insulated bag and keeping journey time as short as possible.
Is a coconut base enough if I’m looking for protein in my snack?
Don’t assume it’s a source of protein based on its name alone. The organic coconut drink and culinary coconut milk featured by Auchan contain less than 0.5 g and 0.8 g of protein per 100 ml, respectively. Check the ingredients in your whole snack.
Is organic labelling or a high proportion of coconut enough to make a choice?
No. These details tell you about the ingredients, not how much to use or how to store the product after opening. To choose between two coconut milks, compare their nutritional information and pack size with the recipe you have in mind.