Coconut comprises three parts: coconut water, coconut flesh, and coconut cover, all of which may be utilized differently.
Apparently, coconut milk and cream are produced by boiling coconut meat in different concentrations and consistency.
Many recipes incorporate coconut milk and cream for different tastes and textures. Although, they are obtained same product. But it is very different from each other.
Key Takeaways
- Coconut milk results from grating and pressing fresh coconut meat, while the cream of coconut is made from coconut milk and added sugar.
- Cream of coconut is thicker and sweeter than coconut milk.
- Coconut milk is a versatile ingredient in cooking, while the cream of coconut is commonly used in sweet dishes and cocktails.
Coconut Milk vs Cream of Coconut
Coconut milk is made by blending grated coconut meat with water and then straining the mixture to separate the liquid from the solids. Cream of coconut is a sweetened version of coconut milk, made by simmering coconut milk with sugar until the liquid reduces and thickens to a paste-like consistency.
Coconut milk is obtained from coconut meat, but it is obtained by one part of shredded coconut in one part of water. It has a more fluid consistency and is less fattening.
It does, however, have a different consistency and texture than curry or other dishes. Furthermore, it is significantly used in Thai curries.
Cream of coconut is made by sweetening coconut cream, and it is not reversible. The coconut cream is obtained by simmering four parts of shredded coconut in one part water.
Then, it is sweetened to make the final product. It has a thick consistency, richer, and has fat. Furthermore, it is used for desserts and mixed drinks.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Coconut milk | Cream of coconut |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Coconut milk has a fluid consistency. | The cream of coconut has a thick consistency. |
| Richness | Coconut milk is not richer than the cream of coconut. | The cream of coconut is richer |
| Produce | Coconut milk is produced by one part shredded coconut in one part water. | Cream of coconut is produced by simmering four parts shredded coconut in one part water, then it is sweetened. |
| Fat | Coconut milk has less fat than coconut cream. | The cream of coconut has more fat than coconut milk. |
| Used | Coconut milk is mostly used for Thai curries. | Cream of coconut is used for desserts and mixed drinks. |
What is Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk comes from the coconut itself. But, coconut cannot be milked practically, yet coconut milk is produced by simmering one part shredded coconut in one part water.
, it results in fresh coconut milk with richness and creaminess.
And the fat content of coconut milk lies somewhere between 9-15%. It has a fluid consistency with high nutritional value. Thus, it provides different textures and flavours to various recipes.
Coconut milk is mostly used as a significant ingredient in oriental cuisines, especially in making curries. Due to its density, it’s perfect for curries bases.
It can replace coffee creamer as well, and it is also dairy-free. Moreover, it can be used as a combination with other ingredients as it goes along with many things.
Apparently, it can be combined with ice cream along with almond butter, cacao powder, or berries.
As for the taste, it offers a subtle creamy nut flavour to emphasize the flavour of the curry or other recipes. If some people can’t digest cow’s milk, then coconut milk is a good option.
Besides, it has a slightly sweet taste, full of nutrients, and has fewer calories.
Furthermore, coconut milk is a very healthy option in comparison to other milk. It is nutritious and healthy.
What is Cream of Coconut?
Cream of coconut can be obtained from the coconut itself. Although it’s a byproduct as it is produced from coconut cream. Thereby, it is sweetened to form a cream of coconut.
And the fat content of coconut milk lies somewhere between 19-22%. It has a thick consistency with some nutritional value. Thus, it provides different textures and flavours to different recipes.
Cream of coconut is mostly used as a significant ingredient in desserts and mixed drinks. Due to its sweetened flavour, it’s perfect for desserts.
It can replace coffee creamer as well, and it is also dairy-free. Moreover, it can be used as a combination with other ingredients as it goes along with many things.
It can be combined with ice cream, almond butter, cacao powder, or berries.
Moreover, coconut cream is removed from the coconut milk’s top. So, it only has concentrated coconut milk, thereby, it is thicker and essentially flavorful.
As for the taste, it offers a sweet, creamy flavour to emphasize the flavour of the dessert and mixed drinks. Besides, it has a very sweet taste, fewer nutrients, and fewer calories.
Furthermore, cream of coconut can be used as toppings on ice cream and other recipes as well.
Main Differences Between Coconut Milk and Cream of Coconut
Coconut can be used in different ways and incorporated into new cuisines to emphasize subtle sweet and nutty flavours. Coconut milk and cream of coconut are obtained from the coconut itself. But they are very different from each other. Although, people tend to confuse them.
- Coconut milk has fluid consistency, while cream of coconut has a thick consistency.
- Coconut milk is not richer, while the cream of coconut is richer.
- Coconut milk is produced by one part shredded coconut in one part water. Meanwhile, cream of coconut is produced by simmering four parts of shredded coconut in one part of water, and then it is sweetened.
- Coconut milk has less fat, while the cream of coconut has more fat.
- Coconut milk is mostly used for Thai curries. Meanwhile, a Cream of coconut is used for desserts and mixed drinks.
- https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2621.1997.00400.x
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1750-3841.14223
Last Updated : 13 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I disagree with the comparison claims about coconut milk and cream of coconut, and I think they are more similar than their differences.
It’s surprising how different coconut milk and cream of coconut are considering they come from the same fruit. This is useful information for cooking.
Incredibly informative and well-written. This article successfully highlights the distinctions between coconut milk and cream of coconut.
This detailed explanation is quite interesting!
Absolutely, the author covered every aspect of coconut milk and cream, and how they differ from one another.
The thorough description of coconut milk and the cream of coconut makes the comparison clear. Thanks for the information!
This explanation cleared my confusion about coconut milk and cream of coconut. I didn’t realize they were so different from each other.
I agree, they’re used interchangeably, but the differences are quite noticeable once you’re aware of them.
I’ve always been curious about coconut milk and cream of coconut. This is a valuable source of information to understand these products better.