Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is not made, as most people might guess, from the water or juice drained out of a coconut.Instead, it is made by infusing water with grated coconut, just as almond milk is made by soaking ground almonds in water. It looks a lot like cow’s milk, though of course it tastes and acts quite differently.

Coconut milk has a naturally sweet flavour from the coconut itself.

It comes in cans, cartons or frozen. If the coconut solids and the water separate, just shake or stir.

Thai and Sri Lankan curries almost always use some coconut milk.

Cooking Tips

If it has been stored a long time, it can become grainy or separate. If it looks this way, just whiz in a blender or whisk for a few seconds.

It can curdle quite easily when cooking with it, so stir constantly.

Substitutes

To make coconut milk, grate fresh coconut flesh into a bowl or pot. Just cover with boiling water from a kettle. Let stand until cool, then strain through a sieve or muslin. You can repeat this process to make more coconut milk; the second round will in fact give you a thicker coconut milk.

Nutrition

Nutritional information will vary wildly between brands because this is a manufactured product. Usually about 17% fat, though low-fat versions are available. Coconut powders also make up into a lower-fat version.

Nutrition Facts Per 1/2 cup (125 ml), Thai Agri brand
		Amount
Calories		50
Fat		5 g
Saturated		5 g
Cholesterol		0 mg
Carbohydrate		1 g
Fibre		0 g
Sugars		0 g
Protein		1 g

Equivalents

Whiz in a blender 1 cup (2 1/2 oz / 70 g) unsweetened dried coconut with 1 cup (8 oz / 250 ml) of boiling water, let cool and strain;

• 1 packet of instant Coconut Powder with 13 oz (400 ml)of lukewarm water;
• 1 1/2 oz (50g) of regular Coconut Powder with 8 1/2 oz (250 ml) of hot water.

Storage Hints

You can store unopened cans or cartons on the shelf for up to 2 years. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 4 days.