This is a review of the two types of coconut milks; a cow’s milk replacement, and a tinned cooking milk and cream. Most people may not know that coconut milk has a horrendous problem with awful animal abuse, so you absolutely should buy only certified “fair trade” coconut milks, waters, or fruit.
—**—
Coconut Milks
Nutrition
Coconut milks come in two very different forms. First, is the boxed beverage, which actually barely tastes like coconut. Second, is the tinned, cooking coconut milk that is very creamy, with coconut flavor. Generally, you do not drink the tinned version. (However, there is a type of coconut milk that is added to a favorite cocktail for its creamy and coconut flavor.)
In terms of diet, coconut milks are considered a Keto and Paleo friendly beverage.
Medical
Although coconut milk and tinned coconut milk or cream are from the same ingredient, they are two separate products with different nutrition. Tinned coconut milk and cream contain significantly higher amounts of carbohydrates and sugar compared to the drinkable coconut milk.
- WebMD: Eating coconut milk could improve your cholesterol levels. In one study, people who consumed coconut milk lowered their LDL or “bad” cholesterol while their HDL or “good” cholesterol increased. Healthy cholesterol levels are important for heart health.
- Coconut milk and cream are sources of healthy fats called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Several studies have found that consuming MCTs promotes weight loss by decreasing appetite and increasing energy.
- At the same time, coconut milks have saturated fat, up to 4g for the beverage and 11g of saturated fats for the cooking milk.
This Beverage is not to be given to infants and if you have allergies check the labels carefully. Speak with your doctor before giving to children.
Animal Labor
Huffpost writes that harvesting coconuts with monkey labor is prevalent throughout South and Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, nations that together account for much of the world’s coconut production.
What is happening is that monkeys are stolen from their mothers, enslaved with metal collars and chains, trained, and forced to pick coconuts until they can barely move or faint. Their teeth are pulled out so they cannot bite handlers. They get tortured, and it gets worse from there, so do a Google search and find out what PETA found, and was verified by others.
So to advise which type of coconut product you should use, I am relying on AnimalPlace certification, as they directly contacted companies, and assessed their policies. They certify that named companies do not use monkey or child labor AND are fair-trade to assure workers are properly compensated. I will indicate who is certified as I do the reviews.
Make it Yourself
Combine 2C shredded unsweetened coconut, 3-4C of filtered water in a blender with a pinch of salt. Blend on high for up to ~2 minutes. Than strain the chunky liquid through folded cheese cloth. Pour the liquid into a lidded glass container and into the fridge. Taste to see if you want to add any sugar (or sugar alternative) for taste.
The left over pulp can be stored by:
- Fresh: That day keep it in the fridge and use it within 8 hours.
- Freeze: Put pulp in a plastic freezer bag, press out all the air and flatten while zipping it closed. This will make it easier to defrost or break into usable chunks for later.
- Dried: Dry the pulp, then blend to make it into a fine powder and place in a lidded glass jar in the fridge or in a plastic bag for freezing.
You can eat the leftover chunks as is for a snack, or add to a lot of dishes.
- Add to shakes
- Add to porridge, like oatmeal, as a nice topping.
- Mix into cookie dough.
So Delicious Organic
Coconut Original
When I first poured this milk into a glass it was room temp and I did not shake it, so it was separated, water and coconut. Tasted and looked off, so I quickly put it in the fridge to cool, then hours later I shook it hard before pouring. The liquid appeared more homogeneous then. I thought it smelled funny, sort of “industrial” is the only way I can explain. It was not a particularly coconut taste. My spouse however, thought it smelled fine and it tasted sweet, with a hint of vanilla.
- Color: Very white, whiter than cows milk.
- Viscosity: The first warm pouring appeared watery with particulates. Later after it was in the fridge and well shaken it poured out like 2% cows milk.
- Smell: Not quite neutral, not coconut, but does have a smell I cannot describe. Perhaps mechanical, or metalish? Try it and let me know.
- Taste: Overall neutral, but my spouse thinks it is sort of vanilla
- Froth: Sort of, a bit of large bubbles, but fell fast.
- Tea: Did not curdle, but did not help the tea flavor.
- Cereal: Tasted like I put water in the cereal, not a good mix.
- Storage: Pantry until opened, fridge for 7-10 days
- Contains cane sugar, guar gum, vitamin + mineral fortification blend, and xanthan gum.
- Company is certified: no animal or child labor + fair wages.
So Deliciously company is dedicated to “fair trade”, that is paying fair wages, and are committed to reducing their environmental impact, As well, AnimalPlace certifies them as not using animal or child labor. The company is also part of the certified B Corp movement, promising to meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, and aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
Their packaging is at least 80% plant-based, made from renewable sugarcane, and is recyclable. This milk is made from non-GMO foods and is USDA certified organic. But is produced in a facility that also processes tree nuts and soy.
REVIEW: I am personally neutral on this milk, meaning I will probably not buy it for my own use, but am recommending it for those that consume coconut products.
- I do not like the taste of this plant milk, nor do I like its aftertaste or the way it smelled.
- My spouse would recommend this same milk, finding it sweet with a hint of vanilla.
√ Thai Kitchen Organic Lite
Coconut Milk Tin
This is an imported Thai cooking item I rely on for many Thai and Indian dishes. I make soup, curry, shakes, and use this in baking. This is a thick liquid and is not used for direct drinking. It also comes in a smaller tin as a coconut cream.
- Color: white
- Viscosity: generally it has settled, so is a thick paste on top and more runny water on the bottom of the can, so mix well. My experience is that once heat is applied the contents are fluid and mixed.
- Smell: Coconut
- Taste: Coconut
- Storage: Unopened I have had this in my pantry for up to a year. Once opened I tend to always use it all up at once
- Ingredients: water, coconut, guar gum
REVIEW: I recommend this milk
- Until I find a specifically labeled BPA-free tin of coconut milk that tastes as good, I am recommending this tin.
- I have used it in cooking various Thai and Indian soups and curry, and it adds a creamy, flavorful deliciousness to these dishes.
- I do not cook with this often, so it is a tasty pleasure when I do.
X Chaokoh Coconut Milk Tin
Chaokoh is a brand of Thai-imported Coconut Milk made by Theppadungporn Coconut Co. Ltd. I am urging all ethical people to boycot this product due to its reportedly abhorrent animal labor practices (1, 2, 3), and less than optimum ingredients and nutrition.
In particular, this is the company that, according to Thailand Coconuts, was using and essentially torturing monkeys to harvest their coconuts. While the company indicates they do not support such behavior, the suppliers of their coconuts apparently are not monitored and it is they who appear to be underpaying labor and supporting cruel animal harvests.
- Color: white
- Viscosity: generally it has settled so thick on top and more runny on the bottom of the can, so mix well.
- Smell: Coconut
- Taste: Coconut
- Storage: Unopened I have had this in my pantry for up to a year, opened I use it all up at once
- Ingredients: coconut extract, water, citric acid, sodium metabisulfate.
Research has shown that sodium metabisulphite (or mutabisulfate), used as a preservative agent, can decrease the heart capillary volume and length. Additionally, WebMd writes: Sulfites are a common additive in many foods and drugs. Sulfites also occur naturally in some foods. Unfortunately, 5%-10% of people with asthma are also allergic to sulfites. Just to clarify, if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, it does not mean you are allergic to sulfites (1).
REVIEW: I am avoiding this milk mainly because of the company’s decision to support harmful animal labor.
- I advocate boycotting this company’s brand until there is a firm commitment, and real action, to stop using coconuts harvested by cruel animal or chid labor.
- I did not add any nutritional info in my chart above.
- However, the coconut milk product is just as good as the other tin.
— Patty
—**—
As a relevant aside, I am not necessarily a fan of PETA’s activities nor how they implement their mission goals, and do not usually use them as a reliable news source. However, while I do reference their exposé on coconut monkey labor in this post, I have tried to be very careful by corroborating any claims they may have made. In this case, I felt that I had to acknowledge that they were the first source that key’d me into this story, and there were numerous other news outlets that followed up with their own details.
