Coconut milk Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Coconut milk

Region or state	Tropical region
Main ingredients	Coconut

Coconut milk is a creamy white liquid. It comes from the grated inside part of a ripe coconut. This liquid looks thick and tastes rich. This is because it has a lot of natural coconut oil. Coconut milk is a very popular ingredient. People use it a lot in cooking in places like Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and northern South America.

What is Coconut Milk?
- Thick vs. Thin Coconut Milk
Coconut Milk in Food
Coconut Milk in Drinks
Health and Coconut Milk
Images for kids
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What is Coconut Milk?

Coconut milk is different from coconut water. Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside a fresh coconut. Coconut milk is much thicker and looks milky. It is made by mixing the coconut water with the grated coconut meat. Then, this mixture is pressed to get the creamy milk.

Thick vs. Thin Coconut Milk

There are two main types of coconut milk: thick and thin.

Thick coconut milk has a lot of fat, about 20-22%. To make it, grated coconut meat is squeezed directly. This is often done through a cloth.
Thin coconut milk has less fat, about 5-7%. It is made by soaking the squeezed coconut meat in water. Then, the meat is squeezed again. This gives a thinner liquid.

Thick milk has tiny solid bits mixed in. This makes it great for desserts. It also works well in rich, thick sauces. Thin milk is mostly used for general cooking. It does not have these solid bits. In many Western countries, people usually buy coconut milk in cans or cartons. So, they might not always see the difference between thick and thin milk.

Coconut Milk in Food

You can drink coconut milk on its own. It can also be a milk substitute in tea, coffee, or when baking. It is a common ingredient in many dishes from tropical and Asian countries. People use it to make curries or other seasonings. It is also used with meats, vegetables, or as a garnish.

Coconut Milk in Drinks

In Southeast Asia, coconut milk is used in many traditional drinks.

Cendol is a popular cold drink. It has chilled coconut milk and green jellies made from rice flour.
Coconut milk is also used in hot drinks. Examples include bandrek and bajiguar from Indonesia.
Sweetened coconut milk is a popular drink in southern China and Taiwan. Sometimes it is mixed with water.

Health and Coconut Milk

Coconut milk contains coconut oil. This oil has high levels of saturated fat. Some health groups suggest eating less saturated fat. Eating too much coconut milk can also raise levels of cholesterol in the blood. This is due to a substance called lauric acid. It is good to enjoy coconut milk in moderation as part of a balanced diet.