Which coconut milk brand should you buy best ingrediants-min

Which Coconut Milk Should I Buy in NZ & Australia?

The more I’ve got into my Paleo lifestyle, the more coconut milk I’ve been consuming.  I’ve been able to find a few different brands, which all vary in ingredients & cost.

Which coconut milk brand should you buy best ingrediants-min

This post will show you the main brands available, where to get them, and which are the most paleo friendly.  If you find any other brands, please send me the details so I can include them.

Avoid the “light” and “reduced fat” versions and go for the brand with the simplest ingredients.  Make sure there are no added sweeteners.  I always try to go for the Ayam brand as the label shows it contains just coconut and water!

You can also use Coconut cream in much the same way.  It is essentially the same as coconut milk – just without as much water, making it a lot thicker. You could always water it down yourself.

Prices seem to vary a lot, so I tend to stock up when there’s an offer on.

Ayam Coconut Milk (Available in Coles & Woolworths & smaller grocers)

Ingredients:  Coconut Kernel Extract (82%), water

Ayam Coconut Cream (Available in Coles & Woolworths & smaller grocers)

Ingredients:  Coconut Kernel Extract (100%)

Coles Smart  Buy Coconut Cream  (Available in Coles)

Ingredients: Coconut Milk (60%), Water, Thickener (466), Vegetable Gum (412)

Pandaroo Coconut Milk (Available in Woolworths)

Ingredients: Coconut Extract (45%), Water, Emulsifier, E412, E435  

TCC Coconut Milk  (Available in Coles & Woolworths & smaller grocers)

Ingredients: Coconut Extract (53%), Water, Antioxidant (Citric Acid)

 

Woolworths Select Coconut Milk (Available in Woolworths)

Ingredients: To be confirmed (it doesn't seem to be in stock at the moment)

Trident Coconut Milk (Available in Woolworths and Coles)

Ingredients: Coconut Milk (52%), Water, Stabiliser (466)

Trident Coconut Cream (Available in Woolworths and Coles)

Ingredients: Coconut Cream (52%), Water, Stabiliser (466)

Kara Coconut Milk (Available in Asian Grocers)

Ingredients:  Fresh coconut extract (55%), Water, Stabilizer E466, Thickener E415, Emulsifier E435

 

What am I missing?  Have you got some other brands in your part of Australia or NZ?

Check back tomorrow to find out more about those added ingredients and whether we should be eating them

Paleo Cookbooks cavemanfeast paleo-recipe-book
52 replies
    • Suz
      Suz says:

      Agreed, I go with the Ayam too, but the coconut milk. I hope they always keep the ingredients as simple as they are now.
      Must try making my own one day!

      Reply
      • Jen
        Jen says:

        I buy organic BPA free spiral brand coconut cream from the health food store, about $3. For coconut milk for cereal ( I make my own) I buy Pureharvest Cocoquench BPA free from the supermarket 1L for about $3.
        Jen

        Reply
      • Pippi longstocking
        Pippi longstocking says:

        Hi Suz
        It’s not cold pressed though it’s heated boiled homogenised and pasteurised BPA tin linings. Could be of concern also .
        I’ve used this brand myself . Believing it to be the most pure.
        Further research burst that bubble
        Might be time to make my own????????????

        Reply
  1. Veronica
    Veronica says:

    An interesting read for me because I was in Coles the other day comparing products. I couldn’t believe the differences…..ughhhh, once upon a time I would just pick any, I agree Ayam is the only way to go. If you ever go past an Indian grocer that may be worthwhile taking a peek inside.

    Reply
    • Suz
      Suz says:

      Exactly – shocking how different they are, I bet so many don’t check the ingredients. Indian grocer is a great idea, will have to keep an eye out.

      Reply
  2. Marlla
    Marlla says:

    Have you tried the Woolworth’s Macro organic one? If you have, what do you think? I usually go either for Ayam too or the organic one…

    Reply
  3. Maree Clark
    Maree Clark says:

    More coconut milk – TCC Chaokoh coconut milk products. The website for this brand that I get in my Woolies confirm that it contains 33% coconut extract, water, citric acid (antioxidant). Watch the Chaokoh brand for other additives. TCC and Ayam are my favourites for GAPS/SCD diet which is closely Paleo. They contain minimal and safe ingredients for tummies.

    Reply
  4. Shaleah
    Shaleah says:

    It’s more effort to acquire but I’m basically addicted to So Delicious coconut milk! Usually in health stores. It’s about $5 per litre (it’s mostly for coffee) I prefer plain but it also comes in vanilla and strawberry, my sister let’s her kids drink the vanilla as it’s an easier taste. I never actually even thought of using the canned coconut milk. I’m absolutely going to give it a try though. Could be less expensive and easier to obtain. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sharif
      Sharif says:

      Hi Shaleah,

      I’ve been researching alternatives to coffee creamers like, Coffee Mate,and am looking for an Australian (hopefully Sydney) store that sells So Delicious.

      can you recommend a place or an online shop?

      Thanks
      Sharif

      Reply
  5. Elle
    Elle says:

    Hi there,
    Thanks for the recommendation. I’m fairly new to paleo and I’m wondering how you use the coconut milk apart from in smoothies and deserts?
    Thanks
    Elle

    Reply
    • Suz
      Suz says:

      Hi Elle, I use it as a base for dishes like a chicken curry. I also use it to make NoOatmeal as a change for breakfast! It’s also good in tea…

      Reply
  6. Rob
    Rob says:

    I buy Ayam coconut milk or cream, it’s best one available. A bit more pricy but you pay for what you get. If you look closely, the product solidfies so it’s not water down like some of the other nasties and no gum! And the product is greyish in colour not white like Select & others. They probably add whiteners which give it an artificial white appearence. Buyers beware!

    Reply
  7. Theresa
    Theresa says:

    I had a good read at this site. It was real eyeopener for me. It discusses the BPA content found in tins of coconut milk and the effects of this. I’m thinking I might start making my own or try to find organic cartons.

    chriskresser.com/3-reasons-why-coconut-milk-may-not-be-your-friend

    Reply
  8. beefwalker
    beefwalker says:

    Hi folks,
    when I lived in Arncliffe, I found a wee asian shop near Rockdale station which sold 600ml cartons of 95% pure coconut milk for only $2.99 !
    I live in Mosman now and haven’t found it anywhere and have forgotten the brand. 🙁
    Any ideas? Perhpas I need to go on a trip to Rockdale on my day off!
    cheers, BW

    Reply
  9. Yvette
    Yvette says:

    I only buy the So Delicious Coconut milk in the cartons, especially after reading about nearly all the canned coconut milk having BPA lining. Until they get rid of that I will continue with the cartons.

    Reply
  10. Hamish
    Hamish says:

    Hi guys, I’ve read that BPA’s are only a problem with cans. Older canning facilities can still use BPA plastics in the liners. The tetrapak style cartons are a better option. I think the Ayam brand might also offer this style of pack.

    Hamish

    Reply
    • Lauren
      Lauren says:

      Thanks for the info on the Ayam cans and BPA.

      I was just playing around with the textures of coconut milk for tea and coffee using Ayam. I’ve been making my own milk (and waiting for the blender to blow up) and while it’s good for smoothies etc, it’s not so good for coffee and tea. So I managed to get a consistency from a can of Ayam coconut cream with an added 2 or so cans of water and yay nice consistency for my tea/coffee and has the nice fat mouthy feeling like adding coconut oil that my homemade stuff is missing!

      Reply
  11. Beefwalker
    Beefwalker says:

    Hi folks, contrary to most here, Ayams is at the BOTTOM of my shopping list. Why? Because I never buy anything below 90%. The supermarkets and even health stores should be ashamed of the overpriced much they’re selling. Dot get me wrong, I’ll BUY Ayams, but it’s my last resort. I prefer the REAL stuff, made for Asians and only sold in Asian grocery stores.

    NOTE: Nobody should ever buy coconut MILK, as it’s just coconut CREAM that’s diluted – and you can dilute the cream yourself – why pay for water?

    I’m now in Preston (Melb) and have been buying the following from Asian grocers all over town. (If I ever buy coconut cream at the supermarket, I seem to remember the Woolworths Select brand was very good value – for the coconut percentage).

    Bumas Coconut Cream (Indonesia)
    1litre UHT pack.
    99.88% coconut (with Xantham gum as a stabiliser) $3.99. For a litre? BARGAIN!!

    I pour it into small Tupperware containers (200ml) and freeze all but one. (Why? Because coconut cream/milk, despite the high fat content, will spoil pretty quickly in the fridge over a few days, though it doesn’t make sense that it would.)

    At a pinch, I also buy Siam Kitchen coconut cream (Thailand)
    560ml tin
    99.85% coconut milk (+thickener 412 and emulsifier 435 – not too sure about those – I’d rather nothing extra)
    From $2 – $3 depending on the merchant.

    BPA in cans??
    I’m not too worried about BPA (the risks have been pretty much been debunked now)

    Will report back if I find any others.
    Cheers, BW

    Reply
  12. Rebecca
    Rebecca says:

    I go with the Ayam brand for most things but I have a few of the tiny Pandaroo tins on hand for if I’m going out for a coffee. It’s easy to throw in the bottom of my handbag so I can add a dash to a long black as I don’t like black coffee and whenever I ask at a cafe if they have coconut milk, the answer is always “No”. I’ve given up asking and just bring my own now 🙂

    Reply
  13. Diane
    Diane says:

    I would not buy canned coconut milk at all or any canned produce for that matter, particularly if you are on a paleo program or detox. The chemicals lining the cans of canned food undo any health benefits you are trying to achieve.

    Reply
  14. Health Junkies
    Health Junkies says:

    “Avoid the ‘light’ and ‘reduced fat’ versions and go for the brand with the simplest ingredients.”

    Yes, well said. I mean if you’re going to do the Paleo diet you really want something that hasn’t been tampered with, or ‘filtered’.

    Reply
  15. Shelley Evans
    Shelley Evans says:

    There is the Banaban organic coconut cream and The Coconut Shop online, sells 100% coconut cream also. Apparently no water added! Isn’t it fantastic!

    Reply
  16. Carol
    Carol says:

    Nobody here seems to have mentioned Aroy D. It costs around $2.25 for 560 mls. The label says it has 70% coconut extract and water – no other additives. However I am a bit suspicious of the term “Coconut extract” or “Coconut kernel extract” (as in the case of Ayam). I wonder how they get the consistency so creamy and why the fat does not separate like it does in other organic coconut creams and milks that I have tried. I have tried contacting Aroy-D myself and also through the shop where I buy this product and they have no bothered to reply to me. Maybe something is added into the coconut “extract” and they can get away with not putting those ingredients on the label by doing this??? If Aroy-D did not have anything to hide one would think they would be happy to reply to my query.

    Reply
  17. David Campbell
    David Campbell says:

    Coconut cream is an emulsion of water and up to 50% virgin coconut oil–yes- this is what is called “fat” on most labels. If you grate the fresh coconut meat in a blender and hand squeeze this through a filter cloth- you won’t get more than about half of what was in the meat. A better press or extractor and you will get up to 90% of what oil was in the original meat. So 90% of 50%= 45% oil -virgin coconut oil. If you boil, micro nuke or spin this fluid you can recover most of the oil- and if you don’t burn it—you will have 100% virgin coconut oil.

    If you add equal parts of water -at 1:1- you get coconut cream at 22.5% oil fat content (OFC)- if you add more water you will get coconut milk- cream is min 20% or 20g/100ml portion. Less than 20% is called milk- even less is called lite or low fat—It is the water content that reduces the OFC. All processors (except fresh products) must use something to keep the oil and water from separating- usually guar and xanthum powder. The process temperature kills any microbes so product does not need preservatives. 20% OFC should not require thickeners or anything else- if made from fresh coconut meat—some use powder and reconstitute and still call it 100% pure coconut – up to buyer whether it matches or not- It usually won’t even come close.

    In my opinion (as a manufacturer) fresh squeezed from fresh mature coconuts will give you the 25% cream as above (without added water) but if getting the meat out and processing is not practical- next best idea is for UHT- hot filled tetra paks- Kara brand is one of tops and available in Australia. But the ultra high temperature denatures the protein, enzyme and lactic acid that is the main goodness of the fresh squeezed. Tins are at the bottom of the list- just look for % of total oil per 100ml–if 20% or more= coconut cream- if less (more water was added) and should be labelled as “coconut milk” If you want fresh orange juice – squeeze your own- same with coconut cream- if you want the real thing- squeeze your nuts.

    Reply
  18. Mini
    Mini says:

    My favourite coconut milk and cream used to be KARA brand from Singapore. Until I discovered it contained CARRAGEENAN, which is harmful for your health. I have also seen some organic products with carrageenan in the ingredients. So please read ingredient label before you buy

    Reply
  19. Carol
    Carol says:

    The coconut milk I am using during the “Heal My Gut” diet is “Honest to Goodness” it has no additives no gums and the tin is BPA free. Need to shake it up well but still bits of the coconut left in the tin and need to be scraped out. Think this is due to fact winter.

    Reply
  20. Liz
    Liz says:

    Hello, I’ve just recently been checking out coconut milk/cream brands near me – the best I have found is “Chef’s Choice” (made in Thailand) brand “Creamy Coconut” – it’s 70% coconut extract & 30% water for ~$1.80/ 400ml can from my local Asian grocer (Bao Oriental Market at Thornlie Square for anyone in SE Metro Perth – I think they also have a store in Cannington). Ayam brand is about twice the price, for roughly the same coconut content, so hard to justify price-wise.

    TCC brand was also quite good – I think their coconut milk has added stabilisers etc, but not the coconut cream. My local Indian grocer only stocks one brand (with stabilisers and thickeners, so I haven’t bought any there).

    Reply
  21. Lauren
    Lauren says:

    If in austraila, the Aldi brand is great . It’s called “Asia specialities” it doesn’t appear to be in a bpa lined can and is a full can size snd about 89 cents!…

    Reply
  22. Chrissie
    Chrissie says:

    I’m actually in the process of emailing all of those 100% coconut milk/cream products to find out if there are any unlisted ingredients in their products. Particularly Ayam and Wokka. If there is less thanthan 5% of an ingredient in a product then it doesn’t have to be listed on the ingredients list. I’ve been reacting badly to both brands with major stomach upset and pain and they both smell very ‘coconut’ fragrant compared to Banaban brand. The smell of them now make me sick. I’m curious to know if there is another ingredient that is unlisted causing my reactions or if it is a case of fructose or potassium sensitivity which is in decent levels in coconut products.

    Reply
  23. Shell
    Shell says:

    I’ll only have Banaban brand coconut milk and cream in our house because it doesn’t have any of these uncalled for rubbish ingredients added. Just pure organic coconut meat extract! It smells and tastes so fresh and divine.
    It might be a little over $3 a can, but well worth it if your looking for quality and just pure coconut.

    We’ve tried a few other brands, but they are weak and watery compared to Banaban.

    Reply
  24. Shay
    Shay says:

    I just bought a can of homebrand coconut cream. At 89c, it’s by far the cheapest option! Only bought it because the ingredients read: coconut extract (78%), water.

    Am I missing something here? Are there hidden emulsifiers or refined/impure ingredients that technically fall under the “coconut extract” label ?

    It tastes ok – not as rich and natural coconutty as the Ayam cream…

    Curious to hear your thoughts !

    Reply
  25. Peter
    Peter says:

    I have found the best coconut milk comes from Thailand Brand name is Merito Organic its not the cheapest but for sure its the best.

    Reply
  26. Dot
    Dot says:

    Bought some Aldi Asian specialities- Liquid at the bottom. Does not say any additives, but much whiter than Ayam. I just want a plain, no additives, inexpensive. I’m worried about the whiteness though. Maybe some bleaching process during packing? Might use this then go back to Ayam.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.