All Coconut Milk are not Created Equal

Posted on May 14, 2012 | by Ray

Asian countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, produce many dishes with the use of coconut milk. From the delicious “Nasi Lemak” of Malaysia to the savory “Phanaeng or Panang curry” of Thailand, coconut milk plays a big part on its traditional ingredients. It can also be often used as an ingredient to a marinade like beef and chicken satay. I know I used it when I marinated my “Lime-in-the-Coconut Drumsticks.”

Coconut milk is the liquid extracted from grated meat of matured coconut, but not to be mistaken for the water that comes out when cutting open a coconut. In most Asian countries, fresh coconut milk is produced by hand by squeezing the grated coconut meat through cheesecloth.

Commercially produced or canned coconut milk is also available and it is more popularly consumed in most western countries like the United States and in Europe. Although they are canned, the milk only last for a few days refrigerated after opening.

Coconut milk comes in different forms. You should always check the label of the can for its fat contents because the higher the fat contents, the more coconut cream it contains; hence, it is thicker. The Fat contents I’ve seen and used range between 6 percent all the way to 26 percent, so be sure to pay special attention to what the recipe requires.

In the Philippines, coconut milk is not only used in savory dishes like “Crabs in Coconut Milk (Ginataang Alimango),” but it is also a main ingredient in many sweet dishes like “Ginataang Mais (Sweet Corn in Coconut Milk).” See some of the dishes below where coconut milk was used and the more detailed video on “How to Buy Coconut Milk” — courtesy of Rouxbe Online Cooking School.

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Rouxbe Online Cooking School & Video Recipes

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Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw (Squash & Long Beans in Coconut Milk)

Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding with Sweet Corn)

Ginataang Mais (Sweet Corn in Coconut Milk)

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32 Comments → “All Coconut Milk are not Created Equal”

The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time

1 year ago

Thanks for the information Ray! The drumsticks look fantastic.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time recently posted..The Sunday Sip ~ Chickens on Heads, Mother’s Day, Tips, and Dish of the Week

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  You are welcome, Christiane and thank you for the compliment!
  
  Reply
the wicked noodle

1 year ago

Thanks so much for posting about this, Ray. I had no idea there were different fat contents in coconut milk; I’d assumed they were pretty much all the same. I will definitely check my labels from now on!

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  They definitely differ in contents, kristy. Always nice to see you dropping by. Thanks!
  
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Juliana

1 year ago

Wow Ray, I never thought in reading the label of coconut milk…always assumed that it they were pretty much the same…so chocked to find out about the fat content from 6 to 26%, that is huge!
Thank you so much for the post and hope you have a wonderful week ahead
Juliana recently posted..Ham Frittata

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  It all depends on what you’re cooking. Thank you, and you have a wonderful week as well, Juliana!
  
  Reply
Crystal

1 year ago

Coconut milk, derived from coconut meat, makes an excellent substitute for cow’s milk. An essential ingredient in many Indian and Thai dishes, coconut milk has risen in popularity and usage in the U.S. As of 2011, the increased demand for coconut milk and a devastating harvest has made coconut milk an expensive and rare find in some Western countries..

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you for the info, Crystal.
  
  Reply
jennifer

1 year ago

Wow! label of coconut milk is pretty amazing…

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thanks, Jennifer!
  
  Reply
Angie@Angie's Recipes

1 year ago

The one I usually found in the supermarkets over here is the thick cream like.
That crab in coconut milk looks out of this world delicious!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Honey Peanut Spelt Bars

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you, Angie!
  
  Reply
Nami | Just One Cookbook

1 year ago

Coconut is something that I didn’t grow up with, and when I started to use coconut in my cooking I wasn’t sure the difference. Now I know what coconut milk vs coconut cream. I always buy milk, but never seen the thick creamy version before. What a helpful video! And you have lots of great coconut recipe… YUMMY!!!!

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Oh yes, coconut milk really enhances the flavor of food. Thank you, Nami!
  
  Reply
Reem | Simply Reem

1 year ago

See this is where I go absolutely Lazy… Reading labels is something I always skip..
Thanks for sharing this ray, I love coconut milk to the extent that my hubby keep telling me that one day I will add it to our morning tea..LOL
Have a great week!!

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mjskit

1 year ago

Ray – thanks for all of the wonderful info on coconut milk! I just started using it in my cooking a few years ago and fell in love with it! I personally like the creamier or fattier coconut milk because it is SO rich and tasty! I actually didn’t know that the fat content has such as large range. I guess I’ll start reading the labels. Great video! Thanks!
mjskit recently posted..Cold Asparagus and Garlic Soup

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Sissi

1 year ago

Ray, it’s such a useful and informative post! I have noticed a long time ago some coconut milk brands are awful. I hate the ones sold in cardboard containers, produced somewhere in Europe: these are available only in “standard supermarkets”. I only use the canned coconut milk imported from Asia.
I also love coconut milk in both savoury and sweet dishes. Thank you for this practical post!
Sissi recently posted..Spring Rolls with Leftover Roast, Carrot and Mint

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Reese@SeasonwithSpice

1 year ago

Hi Ray – Thanks for sharing such helpful bits on how to choose coconut milk (and also the nasi lemak link too:) I never had to read the labels since I just need to tell the guys over at my coconut shop – thin or thick coconut milk and what I need it for. When comes to the canned stuff, there is only a few labels available and they are most equal. Looks like things will be different and I’ll have to start reading the fat contents when I move to the States. I’m just thankful that you shared the information just in time!

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Liz

1 year ago

I never knew that coconut milk could differ so much…thanks for sharing. And all your dishes are look fantastic!

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Kristi Rimkus

1 year ago

I buy the lite coconut milk at my local grocery store. It seems to work well, and saves a few calories, but then you know I’m always trying to save calories. The times I’ve purchase full fat, there is truly a more satisfying flavor. This was really terrific information Ray!

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Raymund

1 year ago

Ray this was my problem before when I left Philippines as we are used to the real coconut milk where you buy coconuts in market and wring it at home. Same goes with soy sauce, I had difficulties looking for a datu puti alternative
Raymund recently posted..Morcon

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Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen

1 year ago

Thanks for the info Ray, and also a great excuse to revisit some of your gorgeous recipes – I love coconut milk in savoury dishes.
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen recently posted..Banana, Pear and Coconut Loaf – a reason to kiss your Greengrocer !

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Elizabeth @Mango_Queen

1 year ago

Thanks for the information, Chef Ray! This is a good resource for all of us. Will bookmark this post. And your parade of dishes right here made me so hungry. I felt like a buffet floated right before my eyes — a very delish spread! Thanks for sharing, the RTs & blog-love! Happy Monday!
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen recently posted..Filipino Pork Barbecue on the Grill

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kitchenriffs

1 year ago

Really great info. When I buy coconut milk I usually just buy whatever is convenient. I’ll have to start being more careful. Great yellow background on the drumstick picture, and the crabs look terrific! Good post – thanks.

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Ann@Anncoo Journal

1 year ago

Hi Ray, Thanks for sharing the very useful info

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Tina (PinayInTexas)

1 year ago

Oh what an informative post, Ray! I love anything “ginataan”…and I’m thankful that I can buy canned gata here in the US! Most of the time, I use coconut cream (Savory brand). I love the thicker consistency it gives compared to coconut milk!
Tina (PinayInTexas) recently posted..Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Ice Cream

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Jenn

1 year ago

Very helpful tip. Thanks for sharing! I love anything with gata and find it so much easier to use canned but am always at a lost on which kind to buy.
Jenn recently posted..Party Favorite

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Tina@flourtrader

12 months ago

I always enjoy stopping in and finding not only tasty recipes but also learn something. The video on coconut milk is very helpful. This will help scale down my choices because some markets do have a vast selection. I do enjoy coconut milk-I sometimes just freeze it and eat it like that! You do have some delicious recipe links here as well. The crab one especially-yum! Enjoy the weekend Ray!
Tina@flourtrader recently posted..Pecan Chocolate Squares

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Sawsan (Chef in disguise)

12 months ago

Thank you for the helpful information Ray
I remember your lime and coconut drumsticks, they are still on my want to try list!
Sawsan (Chef in disguise) recently posted..Twisted daring bakers challenge..Braided bread

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joe

12 months ago

Here in India we get them in tetra packs and the one brand that I found reliable (with real thick milk) is the one by M/s Dabur.

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Gio of The Hungry Giant

11 months ago

Actually our local grocery sells both coconut cream and coconut milk in tetra packs so there is no confusion! haha It’s extremely convenient to have a steady supply of coconut milk/cream in the fridge for those curries and soups, though I think there’s something really special about using fresh coconut milk/cream from grated meat.
Gio of The Hungry Giant recently posted..Going vegetarian with Planet Vegis

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Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi)

11 months ago

I absolutely love coconut milk and use it in many ways as a substitute for good ole dairy. I’ve learned the hard way how different each type can be. I also love to make my own from time to time. This was a great tutorial.
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) recently posted..Avocado Rice Noodles

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