Is coconut CREAM worth the extra cost? Kim asked this in the Cheapskate Cook Facebook group, so I did an experiment. Do you actually get more coconut cream than when you buy plain coconut milk?
If you have ever dabbled in real food and going dairy-free, you have probably tried coconut milk. It’s the paleo, vegan alternative to thick creamy milk or heavy whipping cream.
I’ve used it in everything from smoothies, baked goods, dairy-free yogurt, and dairy-free kefir, to chocolate mousse and frosting in paleo treats.
What is Coconut Cream?
All coconut milk contains coconut cream. Much like raw milk from cows separates into cream on the top and milk on the bottom, canned coconut milk separates into thick cream on the top and thin coconut water on the bottom.
If you shake the can before opening it, the two components combine, making a pourable milk. If you keep them separate, you can use the cream on the top for treats (whipped coconut cream, mousse, frosting, etc.) and use the water for smoothies or drinking.
What’s the Difference Between Canned Coconut Cream and Canned Coconut Milk?
When we see a can labeled “Coconut Cream” we assume it contains more of the thick creamy part and less of the water. It is also thicker and holds up better in some recipes where the cream needs to hold its shape.
The Experiment
A few weeks ago, Kim, from the Cheapskate Cook Facebook Group, asked this question:
“I think this might be the right group to ask
. If I want to buy coconut cream, how much cream would I get out of a can of coconut milk if I chose to buy that instead? Coconut milk is much cheaper but I have no idea how much actual cream I would get out of it. I don’t know if it is in fact cheaper if the cream is the part I’m wanting.”
I always assumed that if I wanted coconut cream, it was cheaper to just buy the cream. But Kim’s question made me curious.
I conducted a quick experiment and shot a short iPhone video to share the results.
If you are dairy-free or find yourself looking into coconut cream for any reason, maybe this will help you save money and eat healthy!
If you found this helpful and want to learn more about the Cheapskate Cook Facebook Group, go here.
What About You?
I would love to hear what you think about this.
Have you done a similar experiment with different brands of coconut? Did you have different results?
Let us know in the comments below!
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