Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is the white-colored liquid extracted from the meat of the fruit. It is slightly sweet in taste and looks like milk hence the name. However, it is not the same as the juice of the coconut found inside which is colorless and known as coconut water.  

It is prepared in homes and used while fresh in tropical countries and islands where the coconut palms flourish. The Western countries purchase the milk in cans and utilized for cooking and in the preparation of various cocktails and mocktails. The thick paste-like substance found on top of the cans is usually known as coconut cream and used as a thickening agent for soups and gravies. It is also used as a garnish frequently. Coconut milk tastes the best when extracted from mature nuts.

The milk can also be consumed by itself or used to whiten beverages instead of animal milk. Coconut milk requires refrigeration after the can is opened and must be used up within the next 3-4 days in order to prevent souring.  Coconut powder made by drying the milk is also available commercially. The powdered form can be stored for a longer period of time.

Origin of Coconut Milk Recipes

Coconut trees grow throughout the tropics and are abundant in Hawaii, South East Asia, Polynesia and Florida. The ancient documents in Sanskrit describe the tree as ‘Kalpa Vrikshya’ which means the tree that gives all. The first instance of using the coconut milk cannot be traced back although the historians believe Malaysia and other countries of South East Asia as the places associated with the origin of coconut based recipes.

The early adventurers discovered the coconut and took them back to their respective countries and Europe got a taste of its first coconut cream pie and coconut custard in the 1900s.

Cooking with Coconut Milk Extracts

Coconut milk of two different consistencies is used in cooking - the thick and the thin. The thicker extract is obtained by straining the liquid squeezed from the grated meat of the fruit through a thin cloth. The extract is used to thicken gravies or for preparing desserts.  Soups and other dishes which require the addition of a thinned out liquid can be finalized by adding hot water to the thick coconut milk. The thin milk can also be prepared by squeezing the grated fruit for the second, third or fourth time as per the requirement. However, this differentiation is usually done in the Eastern cuisine; the Western civilization uses the mixed variety directlyn from the cans available at grocery stores.

• It forms the base of Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai curries.
• The traditional  Indonesian cake known as Serabi is made with the milk extracted from grated coconut.
• Fish and lobster stews made in Brazil use the coconut milk as one of its primary ingredients. It is also one of the basic requirements for preparing desserts in South America.

Coconut Milk Drinks

• Consumed as a sweetened drink served by adding evaporated milk and sugar during the hot summer months which helps to drive away the humidity. This is one of the main drinks served in Taiwan and adjoining areas of China.
• A thicker extract that is diluted by adding plain water and served in cups with a dollop of condensed milk is more popular in mainland China. It is served chilled and can soothe the body in summer.
• Pina Colada is a famous Spanish alcoholic drink prepared with rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream that protects the body against heat.
• An alcoholic drink made by mixing the milk from a coconut with sugar and  yeast  along with rum is popular in the Solomon island. The fermented drink is regarded to be beneficial for health.

Coconut Milk Health Benefits

• The milk obtained from the coconut contains several vitamins and minerals along with electrolytes and calcium, potassium together with chlorides.
• Although the coconut contains a high amount of saturated fat, most of it is converted quickly into energy thereby helping in weight loss instead of accumulating the fat in body cells.
• It boosts the immunity of the body with the lauric acid content aiding in it.
• Coconut milk is anti-fungal as well as anti-bacterial in nature and helps to prevent infection.
• The milk is also used as a medicine to heal sore throats as well as ulcers.
• It is also believed to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
• Apart from being used as a soothing drink, the milk is often used in skin care products and helps to cure skin rashes and moisturize the skin thoroughly.

Coconut Milk: Trivia

 It is an ideal alternative to animal products especially for vegans. People allergic to dairy products can also consume coconut milk as a suitable alternative.