Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Separation Conundrum

I don't know if anyone else has run into this problem with canned coconut milk...or maybe it was just me and a inferior can of milk?  But I have discovered that these two coconut milks are not alike.  After a longtime Thai Kitchen fan I switched over and started using Native Forest a while back because it is a BPA free can.  Great.  The milk has served me well.  There is one caveat worth mentioning.  To my surprise, even after several days in the coldest part of my fridge, this milk did not separate!  Boo...no fun.  I was getting ready to make some coconut whip cream for a dessert and pulled out the cooled Native Forest can and there was no separation whatsoever.  So, be sure to get the correct coconut milk if you want that thick separation, and that would be the Thai Kitchen.  
Or as we all know...you can always go this route.

5 comments:

  1. The Healthy AppleSeptember 18, 2011 4:21 PM

    I agree; I've done some cooking with the canned version and haven't had much luck so I use the actually coconut fresh!
    Just found your blog tonight and it's great. So happy to have found you and can't wait to see more of your recipes!

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  2. Hi There Amie~

    Thank you for your kind words.
    I agree that a real coconut is the best way to go! I pick one up now and then at my local COOP...so fun to work that thing open and find the fresh water. I love your blog and added it to my favorites on my blog roll. Can't wait to try some of your recipes...your smoked chickpea guacamole looks amazing! I'm a sucker for a good dip. I have to say, your recipes are exceptionally creative. Happy cooking, happy eating. Be Well, --Amber

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  3. Huh. Thanks for this - I had the exact same problem. I've been using Native Forest in an effort to avoid BPA...but it hadn't separated when I tried to make whipped key lime mousse the other day. Luckily, throwing in an avocado for color also helped it thicken enough to move ahead with my dessert. Will pick up some Thai Kitchen soon!

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  4. Hi There Jennifer,

    Your key lime mousse sounds fabulous! I love the use of avocado as a thicker. The color is a perfect match too. You've got my wheels spinning here. Glad I'm not the only one with that coconut milk issue. :-)

    Thanks for sharing.

    Be Well,
    --Amber

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  5. Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well.February 28, 2012 5:40 AM

    I'm so glad I saw this! I just bought coconut milk for the first time last week and wanted to make whipped cream from it. I bought the Native Forest brand and it wouldn't separate...I thought I had a bad can! I think it must be the guar gum in it...maybe?

    On the flip side, I bought a few more Native Forest cans yesterday and expected it to not separate again, but when I opened up a can this morning, it had separated (much to my dismay because then I had to mix it all up before using!). So maybe it was a weird batch or something?!

    Glad I found your blog (through Fat Tuesday on Real Food Forager). Can't wait to check out some recipes!

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