People cooking for several
For pancakes, porridge or a multi-portion cream, the amount you buy and the ingredients in culinary coconut milk are particularly important.
Who is this guide for?
Shoppers who care about organic certification and ingredients
The organic logo helps you identify certified products; the ingredients list then lets you choose a formula with or without a thickener.
People making coffee for brunch
For a latte or cappuccino, the first thing to consider is a plant-based drink designed for coffee, rather than coconut milk sold for cooking.
What should you check?
For a brunch recipe, first check that you’re buying organic culinary coconut milk. Then compare the ingredients and pack size to suit the dish you’re making.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut content | Compare the percentage of coconut in the ingredients and the fat content per 100 ml across culinary coconut milks. | For a cream or porridge, I want to choose the ingredients to suit my recipe rather than rely on the product name alone. Around 42% of shoppers put this first. |
| Certification and ingredients | Look for the Euro-leaf or AB logo, then read the ingredients list, paying particular attention to thickeners or added sugar. | If I’m looking for an organic product, I also want to know exactly what’s in the one I choose. Around 33% of shoppers put this first. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a volume that matches your recipe and check the storage instructions after opening. | For a small dish, I’d rather buy an amount I can use without leaving awkward leftovers to store. Around 25% of shoppers prioritise this. |
Product listings from Carrefour, E.Leclerc and Auchan show why it’s worth checking each product individually: the culinary coconut milks mentioned come in sizes from 200 to 400 ml and have different coconut content. These figures don’t apply to every organic product.
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing culinary coconut milk with coconut drinks
Alpro describes its coconut Barista range as being for coffee, while the Kara and Carrefour Bio products mentioned are culinary coconut milks. Their names don’t mean you can automatically swap one for the other in a recipe.
For cooking, check the product description and ingredients required by the recipe. For a latte, look for a drink made for coffee.
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Assuming ‘organic’ means a particular ingredients list
Organic certification alone doesn’t mean a product is free from thickeners or sugar. Carrefour lists guar gum in some of its organic products, and another product is explicitly described as sweetened condensed coconut milk.
Check the organic logo, product description and ingredients list separately.
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Choosing a large pack without planning for leftovers
A 400 ml pack may be more than you need for a small recipe. Storage instructions after opening vary: Auchan says to refrigerate the Kara product mentioned and use it within three days, compared with four days for the Bjorg product mentioned.
Compare the recipe quantity with the pack sizes available, and follow the storage instructions on the product you buy.
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Assuming any solidifying means the product has gone off
According to Auchan’s product listing, Racines Bio coconut milk can solidify below 15 °C without any loss of quality. This applies to the product mentioned, not all products.
Check the instructions on your pack before trying to mix the product back together.
Brands to know for this choice
Carrefour Bio
Carrefour offers two organic culinary coconut milks: a 400 ml tin and a 330 ml carton.
- Both product listings specify 76% organic coconut extract, water and guar gum.
- If you want to avoid guar gum, check the ingredients in another product.
Bio Village
The 200 ml organic product listed by E.Leclerc is a smaller size for cooking.
- Its product listing specifies water and 47% organic coconut extract.
- Check that 200 ml is enough for your whole recipe.
Racines Bio
Auchan offers Racines Bio organic coconut milk in a 400 ml pack.
- The product listing specifies 44% organic coconut extract, water and guar gum.
- It notes that the product may solidify below 15 °C. Check the pack instructions before use.
Kara
The Kara organic coconut milk listed by Auchan is a 200 ml carton intended for cooking.
- Its product listing specifies 64% organic coconut extract and water.
- For this product, Auchan advises refrigerating it after opening and using it within three days.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can you identify organic coconut milk in France?
Look for the European Euro-leaf logo or the AB mark on the product. The French Ministry of Agriculture explains that organic certification is governed by European regulations. Also check the product description and ingredients to find one that suits your recipe.
Is coconut milk that has solidified necessarily unsuitable for use?
No. Auchan’s product listing for Racines Bio says it may solidify below 15 °C without any loss of quality. Follow the instructions on the product you’ve bought.
How long can you keep coconut milk after opening?
Follow the storage time stated on the pack, as it varies by product. Auchan advises refrigerating Kara coconut milk and using it within three days, compared with four days for the Bjorg product mentioned.
Can a plant-based coconut drink replace culinary coconut milk?
Not automatically. Alpro describes its coconut Barista drink as being for coffee, while culinary coconut milk is intended for cooking. Before swapping one for the other, compare the product descriptions and ingredients with what your recipe calls for.