People cooking without dairy
If you’re making a curry, sauce or dessert in a hurry, you’ll want a cooking ingredient whose contents and pack size suit the recipe.
Who is this choice for?
People who need to avoid milk proteins
Assurance Maladie distinguishes between milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens listed on the packaging rather than relying on the words ‘lactose-free’ alone.
People looking for a coconut drink
For coffee or breakfast, you’ll want a product you can pour and drink, rather than cooking coconut milk intended to make a dish creamy.
What should you check in store?
Coconut milk or cream for cooking
Choose this: for a recipe that needs a creamy coconut base. Go for a small pack if you’ll only need a little.
Bear in mind: ingredients and fat content vary between products. A product without a thickener may also separate, so you might need to stir it.
Coconut drink
Choose this: for drinking or pouring into coffee or cereal.
Bear in mind: the Alpro drink featured by Carrefour contains 8,6 % coconut milk, compared with 50 % coconut extract in the Auchan cooking coconut milk described by the retailer. So it won’t provide the same texture in a sauce.
| Priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding dairy ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check which allergens are highlighted on the packaging. The DGCCRF reiterates this labelling rule for pre-packed foods. | If I need to avoid milk proteins, ‘lactose-free’ isn’t enough to make a decision. Around 42 % of consumers would put this check first. |
| Making a recipe without too much left over | Choose a pack size that matches the amount you need, then compare the coconut content and fat levels, taking care to use the unit shown on each label. | For a curry or dessert I’m only making once, I want a suitable cooking ingredient without having to open a large pack. This would be the priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Choosing a coconut drink | Look for the description ‘coconut drink’ and check its ingredients and nutritional information. | For my coffee or breakfast, I’m looking for something to pour rather than a sauce base; around 25 % of consumers would prioritise this use. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Using a coconut drink to thicken a curry
These products aren’t interchangeable for this purpose: Carrefour states that its Alpro drink contains 8,6 % coconut milk, while the Auchan cooking coconut milk featured by the retailer contains 50 % coconut extract.
For a creamy sauce, start with a product described as coconut milk or cream for cooking, then compare the ingredients of the options available.
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Confusing ‘lactose-free’ with free from milk proteins
Assurance Maladie distinguishes between lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy. So the words ‘lactose-free’ alone don’t mean a product is suitable if you need to avoid these proteins.
If you have a diagnosed allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the product you buy, and follow your healthcare professional’s advice.
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Forgetting the instructions for after opening
Shelf life varies by product: the Auchan listing for its carton of coconut milk says to use it within 48 hours of opening, while the listing for Kara organic coconut milk gives a three-day limit.
Choose a pack size that suits your recipe and follow the storage and use instructions on your packaging.
A pack that’s larger than you need could leave you with some to use up quickly after opening.
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Assuming any separation means the product has gone off
According to Auchan’s listing for Real Thai coconut milk, the fatty part may naturally separate from the watery part when there are no stabilisers or thickeners.
Follow the product’s instructions on shaking before opening, and check its appearance and date as directed on the packaging.
Brands to know for these uses
Alpro
The 1 L Alpro coconut drink featured by Carrefour is suited to drinking or having with breakfast, rather than use as a concentrated cooking ingredient.
- Carrefour lists its ingredients as including 8,6 % coconut milk and 3,3 % rice.
- This is different from cooking coconut milk. Choose according to how you plan to use it, and don’t assume it will give a sauce the texture you want.
Kara
Kara organic coconut milk featured by Auchan comes in a 20 cl carton, ideal for a one-off recipe.
- The Auchan listing states that it contains 64 % organic coconut extract and water.
- It also lists 16 g of fat per 100 ml and says to use within three days of opening.
Real Thai
Real Thai coconut milk featured by Auchan is a cooking option worth comparing when a recipe calls for a rich coconut texture.
- The Auchan listing states that it contains 85 % coconut extract and water, with no stabilisers or thickeners.
- The retailer lists 19 g of fat per 100 ml and notes that the product may separate naturally.
Auchan
Auchan’s 200 ml carton of cooking coconut milk is a handy small pack for a recipe.
- The product listing states that it contains 50 % coconut extract and describes the pack as a convenient way to limit leftovers.
- The listed ingredients include xanthan and guar gums. Once opened, the listing says to refrigerate and use within 48 hours.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range includes both cooking coconut milk and coconut drinks. Check the product description to choose the right one for your needs.
- The listing for Carrefour Sensation coconut milk states that it contains 60 % coconut extract and water.
- Check which product is available in your store and read its label before adding it to your basket.
Small cooking packs on Joybuy
These products are cooking coconut milk or cream in small packs, worth comparing for a quick recipe. If you’re looking for a coconut drink to pour over breakfast, start with that product category rather than choosing one of these cooking options.
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Kara Organic Coconut Cream UHT 24 % Fat, 200 ml
A coconut cream to consider for a small savoury or sweet recipe that needs a creamy base. The pack contains 200 ml; the product name states that it has 24 % fat.
If you need to avoid milk proteins, check the ingredients and any precautionary allergen information on the packaging you receive.
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Chaokoh Coconut Milk 18 % PK, 150 ml
A cooking coconut milk to consider when your recipe only needs a small amount. The pack contains 150 ml and the product name states that it has 18 % fat.
If you prefer a short ingredients list containing only coconut and water, compare the ingredients of this product before choosing. If you have a milk allergy, also check the label on the packaging you receive.
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Kara Organic Coconut Milk UHT 17 % Fat, 200 ml
A 200 ml pack of cooking coconut milk to consider for a small recipe. Before comparing its fat content with another product, refer to the nutritional information on the packaging you buy.
If you need to avoid milk proteins, also check the ingredients and any precautionary allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘lactose-free’ enough if I need to avoid milk proteins?
No. Assurance Maladie distinguishes between lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy. If you have a confirmed allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging and follow your healthcare professional’s advice.
Does the name ‘coconut milk’ mean the product contains dairy milk?
No. The name refers to a product made from coconut, but it isn’t enough to confirm everything it contains. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted on pre-packed food labels, so read the ingredients list of the product you choose.
What size pack should I choose for a one-off recipe?
If you want to limit leftovers, choose a pack close to the quantity your recipe needs. Auchan, for example, recommends its 200 ml coconut milk for this purpose. If you don’t use the whole carton, follow the storage instructions on the one you bought.
Should I shake coconut milk before cooking with it?
Follow the instructions for the product you have. Auchan’s listing for Real Thai coconut milk recommends shaking or kneading the carton before opening, as the contents may separate when there are no stabilisers or thickeners.