Vegans prioritising protein
For breakfast or a dish where protein intake is the main priority, compare the grams per serving. Culinary coconut milk and a high-protein plant-based drink serve different purposes.
Who is this choice for?
Anyone looking for coconut texture in their cooking
In a curry, sauce or dessert, coconut milk is first and foremost a choice for flavour and creaminess. If protein matters in your meal too, include other protein-rich ingredients.
Anyone looking for vegan certification
If a claim on a product listing isn’t enough for you, look for certification covering the exact product. The French Vegetarian Association describes the V-Label vegan as a mark that covers, among other things, ingredients and processing aids.
What should you check before buying?
First, decide whether you’re looking for an ingredient to cook with or a drink designed to provide protein. Then compare the nutritional values per serving and, if it affects your decision, check for proof that the product is vegan.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein content | Compare the grams of protein per serving and distinguish culinary coconut milk from a high-protein plant-based drink. | At breakfast, I’m mainly looking for a serving that contributes to my protein intake, rather than coconut flavour; around 50% of consumers in this group would make this their priority. |
| Vegan credentials | If third-party certification is essential, look for its logo on the exact product or ask the manufacturer to confirm. | A simple “vegan” claim isn’t enough for me when I want recognisable certification; almost 30% of consumers in this group would prioritise this proof. |
| Use and fat content | Check whether it’s a culinary product or a drink, then look at the fat content per 100 ml and the suggested serving size. | For a curry or dessert, I prioritise coconut texture and get my protein from other ingredients; around 20% of consumers in this group would choose based on this use first. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Confusing coconut milk with a protein drink
Auchan lists 1.7 g of protein per 100 ml for Jardin BiO étic coconut milk. Carrefour lists 10 g per 200 ml serving for Alpro protein soya drink: these are different product categories and serving sizes.
If protein is your main goal, compare the amount you’ll actually use and don’t rely on the fact that a product is plant-based alone.
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Mistaking a vegan claim for certification
A retailer’s product listing may describe an item as vegan without confirming that it carries a third-party label. The French Vegetarian Association describes the V-Label vegan as a separate certification.
If this label is important to your purchase, look for it on the packaging or ask the manufacturer to confirm that it applies to the exact product.
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Forgetting about fat content in a recipe
The product listings consulted state that Jardin BiO étic coconut milk contains 17 g of fat per 100 ml, while Kara smooth coconut milk contains 18 g per 100 ml.
Choose how much coconut milk to use based on the texture you want and the other ingredients in your recipe. Don’t treat it as your main source of protein.
Brands worth comparing
Jardin BiO étic
A culinary coconut milk, with the 22.5 cl product listed as vegan on Auchan’s website.
- Auchan lists 1.7 g of protein and 17 g of fat per 100 ml for this product.
- If you’re looking for third-party vegan certification, check that it appears on the packaging of the product you buy.
Alpro
The products reviewed include a coconut drink made with coconut milk and rice, as well as a soya drink formulated to provide protein.
- Carrefour lists 10 g of protein per 200 ml serving for the unflavoured protein soya drink.
- This figure applies to the soya drink, not the coconut drink. Check separately whether the product you choose is vegan.
Kara
The smooth coconut milk listed by Carrefour is intended for cooking.
- Carrefour lists 64% fresh coconut extract for this product.
- It also lists 18 g of fat per 100 ml. Don’t assume that it’s a high-protein or certified vegan product just because it’s for cooking.
Related Joybuy products
Related products are coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can vegan coconut milk be my main source of protein?
Jardin BiO étic coconut milk listed by Auchan isn’t the best choice for this purpose: its product listing states that it contains 1.7 g of protein per 100 ml. If you’re making a coconut-flavoured dish, also consider the protein provided by the other ingredients.
How can I tell a vegan claim from a certification?
If you require third-party certification, look for a recognisable label on the exact product. The French Vegetarian Association explains that the V-Label vegan takes ingredients and processing aids into account; a retailer’s “vegan” claim alone doesn’t prove that the product carries this label.
Can a coconut drink replace coconut milk in cooking?
Not necessarily: these product categories are intended for different uses. Jardin BiO étic is a culinary coconut milk, while the Alpro coconut drink listed by Carrefour contains coconut milk and rice, among other ingredients. Check the product category and ingredients for the dish you’re planning to make.
What should I do with coconut milk after opening?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by period shown on the packaging of the product you buy. Don’t assume the instructions for one brand of coconut milk also apply to another brand or to a plant-based drink.