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.

plant-based milk — Homemade coconut milk-drink

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 pancakes a very subtle flavor. You will definitely love this pumpkin-celeriac soup infused in 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 in preventing cancer; a study done on rats who were fed on coconut milk concluded that coconut milk offered stronger protection on 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 in fighting inflammation and supporting 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?

Desiccated coconut — Homemade coconut milk-desiccated

How to make coconut milk

soaked desiccated coconut — Homemade coconut milk-strain

I use desiccated coconut to make this homemade coconut milk. You'll need;

A large bowl.
Desiccated coconut; I use freshly desiccated 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, this is normal because you're not using any thickener. Just shake it before use.

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 you have inflammation, If you don't have someone who can assist you, Try to squeeze out a small amount at a time, you'll make it.
I love you and pray that you spend the best day possible without pain.

Till next, be sweet. Githu.

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