When choosing organic coconut milk for cooking, don’t make ‘mature’ or ‘aged’ your deciding factor. Instead, compare the European organic logo, the ingredients, the coconut content and the pack size. If you’re looking for a sauce with a strong coconut flavour, also check the fat content and any listed thickeners. The proportion of coconut extract alone doesn’t guarantee the texture of your dish.
You want to check whether coconut milk is organic and understand its ingredients, including whether it contains water or thickeners. The KARA and Jardin Bio étic product listings show why it’s important to check the ingredients for each product.
You’re comparing the stated proportion of coconut extract and the fat content to find a product that suits your recipe, without assuming that these figures alone will determine the flavour or texture of the finished dish.
You want a pack size that suits a one-off recipe and leaves little or no waste. A 20 cl pack may fit the bill if it contains enough for your dish; also check the storage instructions after opening.
For organic cooking, first check the product’s labelling, then compare its ingredients and pack size with the recipe you have in mind.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Certification and ingredients | European organic logo and control code; ingredients list, particularly any thickeners. | If I’m cooking organic, I want to identify the certification and decide whether the ingredients suit me; around 42% of consumers put this first. |
| Coconut and fat content | Stated percentage of coconut extract; fat per 100 ml and whether thickeners are included. | For a curry or sauce, I’m looking for a product whose ingredients suit the texture I want, without assuming what the finished dish will be like. Concentration is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Amount needed for the recipe; storage instructions after opening. | If I’m making a small amount, I’d rather choose a suitable pack size to avoid leftovers; around 25% of consumers prioritise pack size and storage. |
A coconut drink won’t necessarily have the ingredients you’re looking for in a sauce. A drink listed by Auchan contains 8% coconut milk in the finished product. This isn’t the same as the percentage of coconut extract stated for coconut milk intended for cooking.
Check the product name, ingredients list and coconut content before choosing it for a curry or drink.
The KARA listing published by Auchan states that it contains organic coconut extract and water, while the Jardin Bio étic and Racines Bio listings also include guar gum. Organic status doesn’t replace the need to check the ingredients.
If you want to avoid thickeners, check the ingredients list for the specific product.
The Codex Alimentarius refers to mature endosperm in its definition of coconut cream. This definition doesn’t tell us that the coconut milks compared here have a particular degree of maturity, or that they are ‘aged’ varieties.
If this matters to you, look for information specific to the product. To compare the products featured here, use their ingredients and nutritional information.
The recommended time for using a product after opening varies. The KARA listing published by Auchan says to use it within 3 days, while the 200 ml KARA UHT product on Joybuy should be used within 3 to 4 days and kept in the fridge.
Work out how much you’ll need for your recipes and follow the instructions on the product you buy.
Any leftovers not used within the stated time may need to be thrown away.
The 20 cl organic product featured by Auchan is coconut milk intended for curries, sauces and desserts, among other dishes.
The 400 ml organic can featured by Carrefour is worth comparing for cooking and baking.
The 40 cl organic cooking product featured by Auchan states that its ingredients come from Sri Lanka.
The organic product featured by Carrefour is a coconut-based cooking ingredient recommended for creamy soups, curries and bakes.
These two coconut milks for cooking let you compare a 200 ml pack with a 400 ml can, as well as their stated ingredients. If you’re buying organic, check the certification details on the packaging of the product you choose.
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The 200 ml pack may suit a one-off recipe. The stated ingredients are 64% organic grated coconut and water. The product description states 17% fat, but the nutrition table lists 18.4 g per 100 ml, so check the packaging for the correct figure. After opening, the listing says to keep it in the fridge and use it within 3 to 4 days.
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This product comes in a 400 ml pack, making it a good option for a curry or sauce that needs more coconut milk. Its stated ingredients include 68% coconut extract and guar gum; the listing gives 17.4 g of fat per 100 ml. After opening, it should be kept in the fridge and used within 3 days.
For pre-packed food sold as organic in the European Union, look for the European organic logo, the code of the control body and the associated indication of agricultural origin. The European Commission states that the logo is reserved for certified products containing at least 95% organic ingredients.
The term ‘mature’ alone isn’t a useful way to distinguish between the coconut milks featured here. The Codex Alimentarius refers to mature endosperm in its definition of coconut cream, but this doesn’t establish the maturity of each coconut milk. Instead, compare the stated characteristics of the specific product.
Follow the instructions for the product you buy, as the recommended times vary. The KARA listings checked say to keep the product in the fridge and use it within 3 days for the product featured by Auchan, or within 3 to 4 days for the 200 ml UHT product available on Joybuy.
Not without comparing their ingredients and the amount your recipe needs. A drink featured by Auchan contains 8% coconut milk in the finished product. If you’re looking for coconut milk for a sauce, check the product name, ingredients and coconut content.