Anyone keeping an eye on fat content
You want to add coconut to a savoury dish and plan to compare fat content first, followed by saturated fat where it’s listed, using the same 100 ml basis.
Who is this guide for?
Anyone cooking small portions
You occasionally make a sauce, soup or savoury eggs and want a pack size that limits how much is left over once opened.
Anyone who prefers organic products or a short ingredients list
You check the ingredients list or organic label, while recognising that a product meeting these criteria may not be the one with the lowest fat content.
What should you look for?
For a savoury recipe, compare the nutritional values on the same basis first. Then check what type of product it is and choose a pack size that suits the amount you’ll use.
| What to compare | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare fat content and, where listed, saturated fat per 100 ml. Convert any value given for a different serving size. | For my morning sauce, I want to choose based on fat content above all, without confusing two different labelling bases. Around 45% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Cooking use | Check the product description and recommended uses on the packaging to distinguish culinary coconut milk from a coconut drink. | If I’m making eggs or a savoury soup, I first look for a product that suits my recipe. Around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a volume to suit your recipe and follow the product’s own instructions after opening. | When I make this breakfast now and then, I’d rather not leave an opened carton unused. Pack size and leftovers would be the priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘light’, ‘organic’ and ‘no additives’ all mean the same fat content
Carrefour and Auchan listings show products with these descriptions at different levels: 5 g per 100 ml for light AYAM, 13 g for Kara Light, 16 g for Bjorg light coconut cream and 19 g for Real Thai coconut milk with no additives.
To prioritise your needs, check the fat content per 100 ml and, where shown on the label, the saturated fat content.
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Comparing 50 ml and 100 ml values directly
Carrefour’s listing for Suzi Wan Light gives 4 g of fat per 50 ml. You can’t compare this figure as it stands with a value per 100 ml.
Per 100 ml, that works out at 8 g of fat. Convert servings to the same unit before you choose.
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Forgetting how long it keeps after opening
Instructions vary by product: Auchan’s listing says to refrigerate Kara Light and use it within 3 days, compared with 4 days for Bjorg light coconut cream.
If you’ll only use it occasionally, plan how much you’ll need and follow the instructions for the product you buy.
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Choosing a product without checking whether it’s available at your store
Carrefour’s listing shows light AYAM at 5 g of fat per 100 ml, but noted that it was unavailable for click and collect.
Use this figure as a point of comparison and check availability at the store you plan to use.
Brands to compare
AYAM
Light coconut milk in a 330 ml carton, listed by Carrefour at 5 g of fat per 100 ml.
- A value you can compare with other products on the same per-100-ml basis.
- Carrefour’s listing showed this product as unavailable for click and collect, so check availability before choosing it.
Suzi Wan
Light culinary coconut milk in a 200 ml carton, described as suitable for curries and soups.
- Carrefour’s listing gives 4 g of fat per 50 ml, equivalent to 8 g per 100 ml.
- The ingredients list states 77% water and 22% coconut extract. Don’t assume all ‘light’ products have the same ingredients.
Kara
Light culinary coconut milk in a 200 ml carton.
- The smaller pack could suit a savoury dish that uses only a little coconut milk.
- Auchan’s listing gives 13 g of fat, including 12 g of saturated fat, per 100 ml. It also says to refrigerate after opening and use within 3 days.
Bjorg
Organic light coconut cream sold in a pack of three 20 cl cartons. This is a cream, not coconut milk.
- The individual cartons let you open one portion at a time.
- Auchan’s listing gives 16 g of fat, including 15 g of saturated fat, per 100 ml.
Real Thai
Carrefour’s listing describes this coconut milk as containing 85% coconut extract, with water as an ingredient.
- A short ingredients list to consider if that’s your main priority.
- The same listing gives 19 g of fat per 100 ml, so this isn’t the right choice if low fat content is your priority.
Coconut milk available on Joybuy
These two coconut milks are worth considering for a savoury dish. However, their names and pack sizes aren’t enough to compare them with the products above on the same nutritional basis. Check each product’s nutritional information before you choose.
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Renuka Coconut Milk Light 9% Can 400 ml
If you’re using this in a savoury sauce or soup, think about what you’ll do with the rest of the 400 ml can after opening.
The name includes ‘9%’. Check the nutritional information to compare fat content per 100 ml, and look at the storage instructions for after opening.
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Grace Light Coconut Milk 400 ml
If you’re considering it for a savoury recipe, check the product description and recommended cooking uses on the packaging.
The pack contains 400 ml. If fat content is given per 100 g, don’t compare it directly with values per 100 ml. Also check the instructions for after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘light’ enough to tell you a coconut milk has less fat?
No. Compare the fat content on the same basis. Carrefour’s listings give 5 g per 100 ml for light AYAM and 4 g per 50 ml for Suzi Wan Light, equivalent to 8 g per 100 ml. Auchan’s listing gives 13 g per 100 ml for Kara Light.
What should you check on the label when comparing two products?
Check the product description, ingredients and nutritional information, especially fat and saturated fat values given on the same basis. Manger Bouger notes that nutritional values for pre-packed foods are shown per 100 g or 100 ml, so check the unit before comparing figures.
How long can you keep coconut milk after opening?
Follow the storage time and temperature given for the product you’ve bought, rather than applying one rule to all coconut milks. Auchan’s listing says to refrigerate Kara Light and use it within 3 days; for Bjorg light coconut cream, it gives 4 days.
Is an organic or additive-free product necessarily a good choice if you want light coconut milk?
No. These claims don’t replace checking the fat content. Auchan’s listing gives 16 g per 100 ml for organic Bjorg light coconut cream, which isn’t coconut milk, while Carrefour’s listing gives 19 g per 100 ml for Real Thai coconut milk with no additives.