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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Coconut milk introduction

There is coconut milk-not to be confused with the saccharine water inside the nut. The milk comes only after the pulp is grated and squeezed. Coconut milk serves as a tasty addition in preparing rice, biscuits and stews.

From the milk comes coconut oil. The process of extracting the oil is a common sight in many homes here in Belize. It provides a means of livelihood for many older women. But we do not mean that this is an easy task. Actually it calls for strenuous effort.

Coconut milk benefits

I'm not suggesting you to indulge in coconut cream, but rather than avoid it altogether, it is alright to eat in moderation. The principle fatty acid in coconut milk is lauric acid, which is the same fat found in abundance in mother's milk and is known to promote normal brain development and contribute to healthy bones.

Try different brands of canned coconut milk to find the one to your liking. Good brands which have not been artificially homogenized, will have thick cream floating on top of the can while the milk at the bottom is much more watery.

Making Coconut milk

COCONUT MILK is made by squeezing the grated flesh of a coconut with some hot water resulting in a rich white liquid that looks very much like cow's milk.

Coconut milk should be distinguished from coconut cream. Fresh coconut milk, when refrigerated, and canned coconut milk, if not shaken, separates into two layers, with the thick (upper) layer being the coconut cream and the thinner (bottom) layer constituting the milk. The top layer can be skimmed off with a spoon and used for recipes requiring coconut cream (usually desserts) with the bottom layer being reserved for recipes specifying coconut milk.

CONCLUSION

Coconut milk is a sweet, milky white cooking base derived from the meat of a mature coconut. The color and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content and sugars. In Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia coconut milk is called santan and in the Phillipines it is called gata. It should not be confused with coconut water (coconut juice), which is the naturally-occurring liquid found inside a coconut.