Coconut milk is a versatile and delicious ingredient that's used in many dishes around the world, especially in Southeast Asian cuisine. While it's easy to find canned coconut milk in most grocery stores, it is advisable to extract your own at home for a fresher, chemical free and more authentic taste. If you're looking to learn how to extract coconut milk, you've come to the right place! In this guide, we'll take you through the step-by-step process of extracting coconut milk using a fresh coconut, hot water, and a blender or food processor. By the end of this article, you'll have all the information you need to create your own homemade coconut milk and elevate your cooking to a whole new level. So, let's get started!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 fresh coconut
- 2 cups water
- Nut mylk bag (Amazon link to buy)
Instructions:
- Remove the shell of the coconut by breaking it with a hard object. This may take some practice, but with time, you'll get the hang of it.
- Scrape out the coconut meat using a coconut knife (this one works well) or scraper (This one is a good addition to the kitchen if you need to scrape coconuts on a daily basis) . Cut the meat into small pieces if not finely scraped.
- Put the coconut in a mixer jar and add just 1/4 cup of water. Grind it to a chutney consistency.
- Add another 1/2 cup of water and churn again.
- Add the rest of the water and mix well.
- Use a nut mylk bag to strain the milk. Squeeze the bag well to extract all the milk. You can use the leftover pulp for any curry.
- Do not boil the coconut milk. If you're using it for making tea, coffee, or kheer, add it at the end and turn off the heat as soon as it's warm.
- Half a coconut gives approximately 500 ml of coconut milk.
- Coconut milk is best consumed fresh or within a day, as it curdles quickly.
Enjoy your fresh and homemade coconut milk in your favorite recipes!