Who is this choice for?

Anyone hosting vegan guests at Christmas

You’re planning a meal without animal-derived ingredients and want to distinguish a “Vegan” claim from a certification with an identifiable label and certifying body.

Anyone making sauces and curries

You’re looking for coconut milk for cooking a sauce, soup or dessert. The coconut extract content, other ingredients and pack size can help you compare products.

Anyone planning several festive recipes

You need to divide the contents of a carton between several dishes. Pack size and instructions for use after opening matter just as much as the amount each recipe needs.

What should you look for?

First, check that the product is intended for cooking and meets your requirements for ingredients and vegan labelling. Then compare pack sizes based on the recipes you’re planning and how soon you’ll use the product after opening.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Vegan claim Read the ingredients and look for an explicit vegan claim. If you require certification, check the label and certifying body shown on the product. For a meal without animal-derived ingredients, I want to distinguish a vegan claim from an identifiable certification; around 33% of consumers make this a priority.
Suitable for cooking Check the product category, coconut extract content and nutritional information per 100 ml, particularly the fat content. For a sauce or dessert, I want to choose coconut milk that’s suitable for my recipe; this is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Organic and ingredients Check the organic claim, listed ingredients and any information about origin or fair trade that matters to you, separately. When I’m putting together the ingredients for my menu, I look at organic status and composition first; around 20% of consumers prioritise these criteria.
Pack size and storage Compare the amount needed for your recipes and follow the storage instructions for the product after opening. If I only use some of the carton, I want to be able to cook with the rest within the stated time; pack size and storage are priorities for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing a coconut drink with coconut milk for cooking

    These products don’t necessarily have the same ingredients or uses. The cooking products featured by Auchan and Carrefour are intended for dishes such as curries, sauces and desserts.

    Before buying, check the product name, coconut extract content and pack size for your recipe.

  • Confusing vegan claims, organic status and vegan certification

    Auchan displays a “Vegan” claim for Jardin Bio Etic; the product details for KARA Bio and Carrefour Bio include information about their ingredients and organic status. These claims don’t mean the same thing.

    If you require vegan certification, look for an identifiable label and certifying body on the packaging of the product you choose.

  • Choosing a pack size without planning how to use the rest

    Instructions for use after opening vary: Auchan says to keep Jardin Bio Etic refrigerated and use within 4 days, while KARA Bio 20 cl should be refrigerated and used within 3 days.

    Plan which dishes you’ll use the opened product in, or compare smaller packs if you’re only making one recipe.

  • Overlooking ingredients and allergens

    A product’s coconut-based name is no substitute for reading the label. The Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds consumers that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list of prepacked foods.

    If you have an allergy, check the details for the exact product, including any warnings about possible traces.

Brands to consider

These products let you compare the ingredients and pack sizes of coconut milk for cooking. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean they all carry vegan certification.

Jardin Bio Etic

Auchan lists an organic coconut milk for cooking in a 22.5 cl tin, with a “Vegan” claim.

  • Auchan’s product details state that it contains 68% coconut extract and carries a fair trade claim.
  • The “Vegan” claim alone doesn’t identify a certifying body. After opening, the product details say to keep it refrigerated and use within 4 days.

KARA

Auchan lists the 20 cl organic product for curries, sauces and desserts.

  • The ingredients list for this product states that it contains 64% organic coconut extract and water.
  • Its ingredients don’t amount to vegan certification. The product details say to refrigerate after opening and use within 3 days.

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour lists an organic coconut milk for cooking in a 330 ml carton.

  • The product details state that it contains 76% coconut extract, water and guar gum.
  • Organic status and the ingredients list alone aren’t enough to establish that a product has vegan certification.

Racines Bio

Auchan lists this organic product in a 40 cl pack.

  • The product details state that it contains 44% organic coconut extract, water and guar gum.
  • The product details don’t include a vegan claim. They state that it may solidify below 15 °C, with no reported effect on the quality of this product.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a coconut-based plant drink replace coconut milk for cooking?

Don’t substitute one for the other without checking the recipe and the product’s ingredients. The coconut milks for cooking featured by Auchan and Carrefour are intended for sauces, curries and desserts, among other dishes. Before changing an ingredient, compare the product name and coconut extract content.

How can I check coconut milk for a vegan menu?

Read the ingredients list for the exact product and look for a vegan claim if that matters to you. If you require certification rather than a claim, also check the label and certifying body shown on the packaging. Organic status doesn’t answer this question.

How long can you keep coconut milk after opening?

Follow the time limit on the product you’ve bought, as it varies between products. Auchan’s product details say to keep Jardin Bio Etic refrigerated and use it within 4 days, and to refrigerate KARA Bio 20 cl and use it within 3 days of opening.

Which nutritional details should you compare between two products?

Compare values on the same basis, particularly fat and sugar per 100 ml, rather than serving sizes that differ. The Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that nutritional information for prepacked foods is given per 100 g or 100 ml. Check the coconut extract content separately in the ingredients list, if it’s stated.

Should you always avoid coconut milk that has solidified in the cold?

No, not for that reason alone. According to Auchan’s product details for Racines Bio, this product may solidify below 15 °C, with no reported effect on its quality. Check the information for the product you’ve bought before applying this to a different one.