Why You Need To Read That Canned Coconut Milk Label Carefully
Perhaps you've decided to switch from cow's milk to coconut, but do you know which canned coconut milk variety to use? Coconut milk can be sweetened or unsweetened and full-fat or lite. Stores tend to stock it right beside the coconut cream and sweetened condensed cream. How do you decide? The easiest way is to let the recipe (baked goods, soup, or even cocktails) determine the proper type of canned coconut product to purchase.
Making a savory recipe? You will almost certainly wish to skip the sweetened versions of coconut milk. These varieties might leave behind a disconcerting flavor to your dish, given the level of sweetness in the mix. They can also make sugary confections too sweet. If all you have on hand is sweetened coconut milk, you can adjust the sugar level in your recipe accordingly, but it can get tricky. It's far better to simply take a second look at the can label when purchasing to ensure you've got the unsweetened variety in your hands (even when you're shopping at Dollar Tree).
Other factors to consider
If you're looking to add a creamy texture to baked goods, you could use coconut cream. It's great in custards, cheesecakes, vegan ice cream, and as a substitute for whipped cream. Crema de coco, another name for cream of coconut, works best in piña coladas, other tropical drinks, and coconut cream pie. Coconut cream can also be split into two ingredients with the simple addition of heat and time. Need a substitute for condensed milk? Look no further than condensed coconut milk. It has a syrup-like consistency that makes it easy to interchange in recipes.
Although lite coconut isn't great for baking, it can lend a touch of creaminess to smoothies and even soup like tom kha gai without adding a lot of calories. Still, that extra fat isn't always a bad thing, especially in moderation. For instance, if you're making vegan ice cream, use full-fat coconut milk to get the rich consistency desired. Buying a can of lite coconut milk might render the finished product grainy and less creamy.