What are their differences, benefits and uses?
Walking down the aisle of a grocery store, you might be confused by dozens of products and brands, offering any and all forms of coconut: Coconut milk, coconut cream, coconut water.
What is the problem?
Like many of nature's best ingredients, coconut is incredibly versatile. It can be cooked and processed in various ways that suit different purposes. When you see different coconut products, chances are they are made with the same ingredients, but their fat and water content varies depending on how they were processed.
The most popular question we get is: “What is the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream? Is coconut cream the same as coconut milk? "They are definitely not the same thing. Coconut milk is a combination of coconut meat and emulsified water to create the creamy, smooth liquid we know and love. Cream of coconut, is a glacier of thick white coconut milk floating on the top; that's coconut cream, the part of coconut milk with the highest amount of fat and protein.
Below are the many forms of coconut milk and coconut cream, that you will find:
• Coconut milk: coconut meat mixed with water.
• Coconut Cream – The solid white layer of cream (fat and protein) that floats to the top when the coconut milk is separated.
• Coconut water: the clear liquid inside a young green coconut. The difference between coconut milk and coconut water is surprising at first, isn't it?
• Cream of Coconut - Cream of coconut combined with sugar. It's like the coconut version of sweetened condensed milk.
• Coconut Cream: Coconut milk or coconut cream used specifically as a creamer for coffee or other beverages.
• Powdered Coconut – Also known as powdered coconut milk or powdered coconut cream, it is basically just coconut, without water, in a fine powder form for long shelf life.
Benefits and uses of Coconut Cream
If you are wondering which form of coconut to use in a recipe, you should first consider, above all, the sugar content. Many processed coconut products will have added sugars, not just coconut cream. If you're cooking something savory like a soup or curry, you probably don't want sweetened coconut milk mixed into your dish. After all, you should have the last word on how much sugar is in your food!
Coconut water, as the name implies, is very low in fat and is truly a hydrating alternative. In fact, studies suggest that coconut water may have antioxidant properties.
When it comes to cream of coconut vs. coconut milk, cream of coconut is higher in fat than coconut milk, and coconut milk generally has a higher fat content than other plant-based milks. However, that doesn't mean you should be afraid of it. In fact, the fats in coconut milk are made up primarily of MCT, also known as medium chain triglycerides. MCT are suggested to be more easily absorbed and used by the body for energy and may even help you exercise better by increasing fat burning, rather than carbohydrate burning, for energy. Coconut milk and coconut cream are also rich in lauric acid, which has incredible defense properties.
How much water can be added to coconut cream to make coconut milk?
Since cream of coconut is simply the fattier part of coconut milk, you can definitely use cream of coconut with water to make coconut milk if all you have on hand is canned cream of coconut. All you need is about 2 tablespoons of coconut cream and ¾ cups of water. If you would like a lighter coconut milk feel free to add as much water as you like and just blend until smooth.
Using Coconut Milk and Coconut Cream as Dairy Substitutes
First things first: is full-fat coconut milk the same as cream of coconut? No. Cream of coconut is just the fat and protein that floats on top of coconut milk, especially full-fat coconut milk. For that reason, the two are not the same and are not direct substitutes. You can substitute coconut milk for cow's milk anywhere you don't mind a hint of coconut flavor; It will definitely provide the richness and creaminess that other non-dairy milks may lack. And you can definitely use coconut milk in coffee. Some even extract just the fat from the coconuts (MCT oil) to add to their coffee.
You can use cream of coconut in curry, but keep in mind that cream of coconut has much less water content and will therefore produce a thicker curry. You will probably need to add water, as mentioned above, to get it to the right consistency.
An instant vegan hot chocolate made with coconut cream powder, topped with coconut whipped cream. If you are looking for a substitute for powdered milk, which can be used to make your own instant oatmeal packets, instant hot chocolate, or coffee creamer, coconut cream powder is a great shelf-stable substitute and can be used just as well. manner. Except it will also provide the added health benefits of coconut milk fat and MCTs of course. Coconut cream lasts up to 2 years, making it convenient for use in coffees and oatmeal.
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