Homemade Coconut Milk
Drink - non-alcoholic
Ingredients
1 cup of desiccated coconut (or 1/3 cup of coconut butter)
2 cups of water
Description
Often confused with coconut water, which is naturally found inside green coconuts, coconut milk is made from pressed coconut flesh that has been combined with water. It has a rich, creamy consistency that is similar to whole cow’s milk and a noticeably coconut flavour. The milk is a good source of several vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, Iron and Selenium. Coconut milk is high in calories and saturated fats called medium-chain triglycerides, which evidence suggests may benefit weight loss and metabolism.
PSA: If you avoid additives in your food, check the ingredient panel when you purchase shredded/desiccated coconut as unfortunately many brands have a lot of those difficult-to-pronounce words.
Directions
Add the desiccated coconut, water, and a pinch of salt to a blender or food processor and blend for 45-60 seconds.
You don’t have to strain this through a nut milk bag but we usually do to remove any fibrous texture.
Notes
Can use hot (not boiling water) too
How to use: Although coconut milk can be used in baking, why not start the day with a hearty bowl of porridge made with coconut milk? A study of 60 men found that coconut milk porridge lowered “bad” LDL cholesterol whilst raising “good” HDL cholesterol. Of course, coconut milk is also commonly used to thicken up sauces and add a lovely flavour to curries.
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From Coconut Butter
Oh yeah- it’s real and it’s delicious! The coconut milk recipe using coconut butter is the silkiest and most flavor-packed, in our opinion… All you need is coconut butter and water!
**This is our favorite method of making homemade coconut milk! We make a big batch of homemade coconut butter and use that to make coconut milk for the next few months- very creamy, very easy and zero gums/additives/weird ingredients!
The ratio for coconut milk from coconut butter is:
1/3 cup of coconut butter
2 cups of water
DIY coconut milk using coconut butter can be made in a blender or a food processor! As with the shredded coconut milk process, we like to strain this through a nut milk bag as there can be a fibrous, pulpy texture- this is entirely optional!
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Try adding different flavor options after all coconut has been strained out!
Vanilla coconut milk: ½ tsp vanilla extract
Strawberry coconut milk: ½ cup pureed fresh or frozen strawberries
Chocolate coconut milk: 2 tsp cocoa powder + ½ tsp vanilla extract
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Keeps 3-4 days