Who are these criteria for?

People who pay close attention to organic ingredients

You’re looking for organic coconut milk for cooking and want to compare the coconut content, water and other ingredients, particularly thickeners.

People who cook with coconut milk occasionally

You sometimes make a curry or dessert and need to choose a pack size you can use in line with the instructions after opening.

People choosing between a drink and a cooking ingredient

You need coconut milk for a recipe and don’t want to confuse it with a coconut plant-based drink. The product description and suggested use on the packaging matter just as much as the flavour name.

Which criteria should you compare?

When choosing organic coconut milk for cooking, start with the product description and organic labelling. Then check that the pack size suits your recipe and that you’ll use it before the stated period after opening has passed.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Organic labelling and product description Look for the Euro-leaf logo, the origin of the agricultural raw materials and the control body code. Also check that it’s coconut milk for cooking, not a plant-based drink. I want to cook with an organic product whose labelling I can check on the packaging, rather than relying on the word “coconut” alone; around 42% of consumers put this check first.
Ingredients and concentration Compare the coconut content, full ingredients list and nutritional values per 100 ml for the product you’ve chosen. For my recipe, I prioritise a clear ingredients list, whether or not it includes a thickener; this is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Pack size and storage Match the pack size to your recipe, then read the product-specific storage instructions for before and after opening. If I don’t often cook with coconut milk, I want to avoid opening a large quantity that I won’t be able to use in time; around 25% of consumers prioritise this.

Which mistakes should you avoid?

  • Assuming “filtered” means organic

    On its own, this word tells you nothing about the organic labelling, ingredients or storage conditions of the coconut milk.

    Instead, check the product description, organic labelling, ingredients list and instructions on the packaging.

  • Confusing coconut milk for cooking with a plant-based drink

    A coconut plant-based drink, a cooking aid and sweetened concentrated coconut milk may not be suitable for the same recipes. Carrefour’s listings, for example, distinguish Alpro coconut plant-based drink from coconut milk intended for cooking.

    Before substituting an ingredient in a curry or dessert, check the product description, ingredients and suggested use.

  • Relying on the coconut percentage alone

    A high proportion of coconut extract doesn’t tell you whether the recipe contains a thickener. According to Carrefour’s product information, its Carrefour Bio products with 76% coconut extract also contain guar gum.

    Compare the percentage, ingredients list and nutritional values for each product, rather than assuming the details of one product apply to another.

  • Applying unopened storage instructions to an opened product

    Instructions change after opening. Auchan says the 20 cl KARA carton should be used within 3 days, while the Bjorg and Jardin Bio Étic products mentioned here should be used within 4 days and kept chilled.

    Choose a pack size that suits the recipes you have planned and follow the time limit on the packaging of the product you buy.

Brands to use as a guide

The details below relate to the specific cooking products mentioned, not every product from each brand.

Carrefour Bio

Organic coconut milk for cooking in 330 ml cartons and 400 ml tins.

  • According to Carrefour’s product information, both products contain 76% organic coconut extract and 17 g of fat per 100 ml.
  • Their ingredients list includes guar gum, so a high coconut content doesn’t mean the recipe is free from thickeners.

KARA

Organic coconut milk for cooking in a 20 cl carton.

  • Auchan’s product information for this product lists 64% organic coconut extract and water as the ingredients.
  • The same listing states that it contains 16 g of fat and 15 g of saturated fat per 100 ml, and should be used within 3 days of opening.

Bjorg

Organic coconut-based cooking aid, UHT sterilised and available in a 20 cl carton.

  • The small pack size may suit a recipe that needs only a little coconut milk.
  • The recipe listed by Auchan includes maltodextrin and guar gum, among other ingredients. The product information says to keep it in the fridge and use it within 4 days of opening.

Jardin Bio Étic

Organic coconut milk for cooking, listed by Auchan in a 22,5 cl tin.

  • Auchan’s product information states that this product contains 68% coconut extract.
  • It also lists guar gum and says to use the product within 4 days of opening.

Coconut milk products to explore on Joybuy

These two pack sizes of coconut milk are worth comparing for cooking. If you’re buying organic or want to store the product before opening, check the labelling and instructions for the product you receive. The word “organic” in a product title alone is no substitute for the information on the packaging.

KARA UHT coconut milk, 200 ml

KARA UHT coconut milk 200 ml

Compare the 200 ml pack size with the amount needed for a small cooking recipe.

The product title mentions UHT. Check the packaging for organic labelling, the ingredients list and instructions for after opening.

To compare fat content, check the nutritional information for the product you receive.

View on Joybuy
Valcom organic coconut milk, 400 ml

Valcom organic coconut milk 400 ml

If your recipe needs more coconut milk, compare this 400 ml pack with the amount you’ll use.

Check the packaging for organic labelling, ingredients and storage instructions for before and after opening, particularly if you’re looking for a UHT product.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can you check the organic labelling on coconut milk in France?

Look for the Euro-leaf logo and the accompanying information on the packaging. Agence Bio notes, in particular, that the logo must be accompanied by information about the origin of the agricultural raw materials. Also check the control body reference, and don’t confuse these details with the ingredients list.

Does the word “filtered” help you choose organic coconut milk?

No. The word “filtered” alone doesn’t prove that coconut milk is organic, UHT or free from additives. Base your choice on the product description, organic labelling, ingredients and storage instructions for the specific product.

Can you keep UHT coconut milk in a cupboard?

Yes, before opening, if the instructions for that product say it can be stored at room temperature. For the 20 cl KARA carton listed by Auchan, the instructions change after opening: it must then be refrigerated and used within 3 days. Always follow the instructions on the product you buy.

Can you use a coconut plant-based drink instead of coconut milk in a curry?

Not necessarily. A plant-based drink isn’t intended for the same use as coconut milk for cooking. For a curry, check that the product description and ingredients match the ingredient required by the recipe, rather than relying on the word “coconut” alone.

Is organic coconut milk always free from thickeners?

No. Among the products listed by Auchan and Carrefour, the 20 cl KARA carton lists organic coconut extract and water, while Carrefour Bio, Bjorg and Jardin Bio Étic list guar gum. Check the organic labelling and ingredients list separately for the product you’re interested in.