coconut milk question

[Brian Androsian]

When you buy coconut milk, do you get the milk in cartons? Like the Silk brand or SO delicious? Or is it better to just get the cans of coconut milk? Seems like it'd get pretty expensive to just buy tons of those little cans but all the carton milks brag about having less and less calories, which I'm not interested in.

[Katherine Derbyshire]

Read the labels.

Katherine

[Preston Sprimont]

Originally Posted by Brian Androsian

When you buy coconut milk, do you get the milk in cartons? Like the Silk brand or SO delicious? Or is it better to just get the cans of coconut milk? Seems like it'd get pretty expensive to just buy tons of those little cans but all the carton milks brag about having less and less calories, which I'm not interested in.

Look at the ingredients. Generally, the stuff in the cartons is "coconut drink," usually including (predominantly) water, coconut milk, some sort of sweetener, and a few other additives. It's the coconut equivalent of Silk soy milk or the like. The stuff you get in the can is usually more "pure" coconut milk, less watered down, and without as many additives (though canned coconut milk can still have its fair share of additives... again, read the ingredients).
I get the stuff in the can, preferably free of additives and in a BPA free can (though that's not always convenient), and I use it for smoothies, thai rice, etc. Because the canned stuff is more "pure," it's a lot more dense, and a little bit can go a long way. Much more cost-effective.

[Brian Androsian]

Originally Posted by Preston Sprimont

Much more cost-effective.

I guess the reason I haven't been getting it is cause I thought it would be less cost effective. A small can is a buck or two and having one of those a day.. I guess isn't all that much. Tossing that many in my cart makes my wallet too scared to buy it all. In the end, it probably isn't any more expensive, though.

I'm gunna have to try it out

[Eric Montgomery]

"Less calories" or "light" or "lower fat" just means they cut it half and half with water while still charging the same price. Get the cans, it's the only real stuff.

[David Sigmon]

Do most of you use it to cook with (like in a recipe) or as a replacement for milk? I use coconut oil, normally just eat a tbs full of it, just for the MCT's. Any reason i should implement the milk?

[Eric Montgomery]

Coconut milk goes great in shakes or coffee. Coconut oil is for cooking, like you said.

[David Sigmon]

Originally Posted by Eric Montgomery

Coconut milk goes great in shakes or coffee. Coconut oil is for cooking, like you said.

So for me it would just be unnecessary added calories haha. I might pick some up for when I need to make some paleo cookies or something lol.

[Graeme Moore]

Coconut oil is great for cooking, really low smoking point. Tastes great straight off the spoon too

Re the milk - we get packets of creamed coconut; basically a fairly solid block of coconut 'mush' (100% coconut flesh though) and just add boiling water: more for 'milk', less for 'cream'. I find grating it before adding water gives a super smooth mix.

[David Sigmon]

Eggs fried in coconut oil...OMG so good.