Coconut is a fruit that is especially available in tropical countries and can be put to various uses. A young or baby coconut that appears green in color is said to have medicinal properties that are used for curing wounds. Other than that, coconut can be used to quench thirst with coconut water, while the copra (white-coconut meat) can be consumed raw or made into coconut milk or coconut cream for consumption.
Coconut Milk vs Coconut Cream
The main difference between coconut milk and coconut cream is that coconut milk is very liquid and sloppy. While coconut milk is thick and dense, The difference is because of the way coconut milk and coconut cream are prepared. Coconut milk is prepared by taking an equal ratio of water and shredded coconut, whereas coconut cream is made by taking the amount of coconut thrice to water.
Coconut milk is a white liquid substance that highly resembles cow milk. It is extracted by combining an equal amount of water with an equal amount of coconut. In other words, an equal ratio of water and shredded coconut is skimmed until we derive a sloppy texture. Coconut milk has an amazing flavor to it, mainly because of its fat content. It has 24 grams of fat per 100 grams of coconut milk.
Coconut Cream is another product of coconut that is derived from skimming coconut milk. However, it differs because of the ratio of coconut and water used while preparing coconut cream. Coconut cream has a 4 to 1 ratio of shredded coconut and water, respectively. It contains more fat than coconut milk, i.e., 35 gram of fat per 100-gram of coconut cream. Coconut cream is very thick, mainly due to the high amount of coconut used while preparing it.
Comparison Table Between Coconut Milk and Coconut Cream
| Parameters of Comparison | Coconut Milk | Coconut Cream |
| Definition | Coconut milk is a white liquid substance derived from skimming coconut. | Coconut Cream is a thick creamy substance obtained from skimming coconut milk. |
| Texture | Coconut Milk is liquid and sloppy in texture. | Coconut Cream is dense and thick in texture. |
| Preparation time | Coconut milk requires less time for preparation than coconut cream | Coconut Cream requires a longer preparation time than coconut milk. |
| Water to Coconut ratio | Coconut milk has equal water to coconut ratio. | Coconut Cream has a higher coconut to water ratio. |
| Fat Content | Coconut milk has less fat than coconut cream. | Coconut Cream has a higher amount of fat in it. |
| Self-life | Coconut milk has a slightly longer shelf life than coconut cream. | Coconut Cream has a shorter shelf life in comparison to coconut milk |
What is Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk is a white liquid that looks a lot like cow milk. It is obtained by mixing the same quantity of water with the same amount of coconut. To put it another way, we skim an equal amount of water and shred coconut till we get a sloppy texture. Because of the fat content in coconut milk, it has a fantastic flavor. It has a fat content of 24 grams per 100 grams of coconut milk.
The coconut milk is prepared by shredding the white meat of the coconut, which then goes into the blender with an equal amount of water. After blending the mixture thoroughly, it needs to be passed down through a strainer. The liquid product then derived is coconut milk. Coconut milk is originally sweet and can prove to be highly beneficial for our health.
- Helps in weight loss – Coconut milk contains healthy fats that help one remain full for a long period. Thus, one does not feel the need to eat for a long period, resulting in weight loss.
- Strengthens the organs – Coconut milk contains various nutritional benefits, which have been proven to be healthy for the body. It contains different types of vitamins that act as antioxidants for our bodies. It also strengthens our immune systems and protects us from heart disease.
Although coconut milk is highly beneficial for our health, it is important to consume it in moderation if consumed daily because it contains a huge amount of fat.
What is Coconut Cream?
Coconut cream is made by skimming coconut milk. The amount of coconut water needed to make coconut cream, however, makes a difference. Shredded coconut and water are proportionately 4 to 1 in coconut cream. It has 35 grams of fat per 100 grams of coconut cream, which is more than coconut milk. Because of the large amount of coconut required in its preparation, coconut cream is rather thick.
To get coconut milk, one must extract the white flesh of the coconut and blend it in a blender with water. It must be noted that the water to coconut ratio should be 1:4. After deriving the coconut milk, it must be strained using a strainer and set aside for a couple of minutes. After a few minutes, the cream and water will separate, and the cream will rise to the top while the water sinks to the bottom. Carefully extract the top portion to get coconut cream. Coconut cream tastes like coconut but is not sweet.
Main Differences Between Coconut Milk and Coconut Cream
- Coconut milk is a white liquid substance obtained by skimming water and coconut in an equal ratio. Coconut cream is a thick, creamy substance obtained by keeping aside coconut milk for a few minutes.
- Coconut milk is liquid and sloppy in texture, while coconut cream is thick and creamy.
- Coconut milk is sloppy in form, whereas coconut cream is dense in form.
- One can prepare coconut milk fast, while it takes more time to prepare coconut cream in comparison to coconut milk.
- Coconut milk has equal water to coconut ratio, while coconut milk has three times coconut to water.
- Coconut milk has more fat content than coconut cream, while coconut cream has more fat content than coconut milk.
Conclusion
Coconut milk and coconut cream are each derived from coconut. However, they appear different from each other simply because of how they are prepared. Coconut milk is prepared by blending an equal amount of water and coconut, while coconut cream has three times more coconut than water. Coconut milk is sweet. However, coconut cream is not.
References
- https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2621.1997.00400.x
- https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1994.tb04418.x