First Published 23 January 2019 Updated March 4 2021
You'll love this homemade coconut milk. Learn how to make coconut milk using desiccated coconut and enjoy the benefits of coconut milk.
Hi hi lovely, how have you been?
Have you boarded the coconut oil wagon? If yes, am sure then you'll love this homemade coconut milk! If you haven't, what on earth are you waiting for? (smiley am just kidding), though it's true that coconut has a lot to offer.
Are you disappointed like me to realize that very few brands offer coconut milk without artificial preservatives? Here in my city, I only found one brand which offers very nice coconut creamy milk. However, it comes with a high price tag!
And when it comes to organic, coconut milk is always composed of other ingredients to thicken it.
I love coconut milk. So I ended up making my homemade coconut milk as it's far much cheaper, easy to make, and I know exactly what it's in my milk.
I like using coconut milk in pancakes, it gives them a very subtle flavor. You will definitely love this pumpkin-celeriac soup infused with coconut, it's creamy and rich in flavors.
Benefits of coconut milk
- You've read almost everywhere that cow's milk is not ideal when you have inflammation, gut health issues, cancer, etc. When you are looking for milk alternatives, try out coconut milk, it will give you more than just a sweet taste.
- Coconut milk has the potential to prevent cancer; a study done on rats who were fed coconut milk concluded that coconut milk offered stronger protection to rats with an ulcer.
- Coconut milk has Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are a form of dietary fats that have a wide range of positive health benefits.
- MCTs are reported to act as antioxidants. You know antioxidants are essential when dealing with chronic inflammation! They, (MCTs) also enhance the absorption of minerals like Calcium and Magnesium as well as the absorption of amino acids.
- These MTCs are beneficial in weight loss as they keep you feeling satiated for hours. They are directly absorbed in the body as energy rather than being stocked as fat like other types of fat.
- Coconut has Lauric acid, which is anti-inflammatory. When Lauric gets into your body, it's converted into Monolaurin. Monolaurin is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. Meaning it's your little soldier against pathogens.
- You'll get Potassium. Did you know that patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis are found to have a deficiency in Potassium? especially if you're on medication! Potassium is a very important mineral for your cells, and it has been shown in studies to help reduce inflammation in RA.
- Coconut milk will give you a good amount of manganese, which, when combined with other minerals, will improve your bone mass.
- You'll also get Calcium, Iron, Selenium, and Copper, which will help you fight inflammation and support your bones.
- You'll have some Vitamin E, K, C, B6, folate, niacin, and others
Have I given you reasons to jump into making your homemade coconut milk?
How to make coconut milk
I use desiccated coconut to make this homemade coconut milk. You'll need;
- A large bowl.
- Desiccated coconut: I use freshly desiccated coconut from organic stores as they have moisture. Industrial desiccated coconuts are very dry and will not yield the same result.
- Hot water
- A high-speed blender.
- A strainer, cheesecloth, or a piece of clean cloth that can help you squeeze out the milk.
- A bottle to store the milk in.
- You, to drink this coconut milk, hahaha ha.
How to do
- Start by soaking your desiccated coconuts in very hot water (at boiling point) for about 2 hours or so.
- Soaking will soften the desiccated coconuts making them gain more moisture and hence release more milk content.
- After the soaking, blend the soaked coconut in your blender
- Using a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen cloth, strain out as much milk as possible
- Serve yourself a glass of fresh homemade coconut milk
- Store the rest in your fridge. Please note that your milk will separate, which is normal because you're not using any thickener. Just shake it before use.
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So there you go, you now know how to make coconut milk, don't forget to tell me how you love your homemade coconut milk!
I know that squeezing out milk will be challenging when your hands are inflamed. If you don't have someone who can assist you, try to squeeze out a small amount at a time, and you'll make it.
I love you and pray that you spend the best day possible without pain.
Till next, Githu.
You'll love this homemade coconut milk
Equipment
- A large bowl
- a water boiler
- A Blender
- a cheesecloth or clean kitchen cloth or a strainer
- a clean bottle to store your milk
Materials
- 4 cups boiling water
- 2 cups desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water.
- Meanwhile, measure two cups of desiccated coconut and put them in a large bowl.
- Pour the boiling water and stir to mix well.
- Let this sit for at least two hours or longer.
- Pour the content in the bowl into a high-speed blender and blend at high speed for about 30 seconds.
- Strain or pour the mixture in a bag or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much milk as you can.
- Serve yourself a glass.
- Put your homemade coconut in a bottle
- Store in a fridge. Use your milk within 4 days.
Notes
- We are using boiling water to soak the desiccated coconut so that the heat can soften them fast. This way, they'll release more milk and fat.
Amy
Thanks for this. I was looking for a recipe I'd use and I reckon I have found it!
Githu
Amy, I am glad you found this recipe. I hope you'll love your homemade coconut milk.
ANGELA
Thank you for sharing this amazing homemade coconut milk
Githu
Angela, glad you like it. Thank you for being here.
Freya
Such a great idea, and you know exactly what has gone in it!
Githu
Exactly, Freya. Thank you for being here.
Sue
What a great idea!
Githu
Thank you, Sue
Kay
Love this homemade coconut milk recipe 🙂
Githu
Thank you, Kay.
Leslie
Great recipe!
Githu
Thank you, Leslie.
Lindsay
This is awesome, love knowing how to make this myself!
Githu
Hi Lindsay, thank you. You'll see it's easy and quick.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
This looks incredibly delicious. Yum!
Githu
Thank you, Maggie.
Githu
Thank you, Maggie
Helene / French Foodie Baby
Love this method! So much better and less processed than canned coconut milk. Thank you 🙂
Catherine
I agree, definitely better than the canned versions.
Githu
Oh yes! thank you, Catherine.
Githu
I agree with you, Helene. Thank you so much.