Coconut Milk in Coffee: FAQs and More

Everything to Know About Coconut Milk in Coffee

Considering trying creamy, refreshing coconut milk in your coffee? Here's everything you need to know!

Ever tried coconut milk in your coffee before? If not, you might be missing out! In fact, in the summertime, you'll find that there are many amazing coconut milk drink recipes to craft. The beverage is so popular that there are even an array of new Starbucks coconut milk drinks available. 

As a dairy-free milk substitute, coconut milk is plant-based and vegan friendly. However, you don't have to spend a ton of money at Starbucks to reap the benefits of creamy, dreamy coconut milk. Instead, you can make delicious coconut milk drinks from the comfort of home! 

Here, we'll talk about everything coconut milk coffee-related so that you can decide for yourself whether this dreamy drink is right for you. 

The Taste of Coconut Milk in Coffee

Coconut milk tastes great in coffee. However, you have to use the right ingredients. For instance, you'll want to use real coconut milk as opposed to coconut water. Coconut water absolutely won't do the trick. 

The taste of coconut milk in coffee is refreshing and slightly sweet. You can buy sweetened or unsweetened coconut milk to use in your coffee. However, most people prefer sweetened coconut milk. You will enjoy subtle hints of coconut flavor with creamy undertones and a refreshing finish. To really make a beverage sing, we recommend using one of our coconut flavored coffees. These coffees wonderfully accentuate those delicate coconut milk nuances. 

Moreover, coconut cream is different from coconut milk. Coconut cream can be used to make all kinds of delicious coffee creamers, ice creams, or blended drinks. However, coconut cream isn't the easiest thing to use if you are planning to make hot or iced coffee beverages. 

Ways to Use Coconut Milk for Coffee

There are many delicious ways to use coconut milk in your coffee. If you purchase fresh coconut milk at a specialty grocery store, you can simply add a splash to your morning coffee in place of dairy milk. If you buy the canned version, just follow the instructions on the can and use it in your coffee like you would use regular milk. 

Another delicious way to use coconut milk in coffee involves pulling a few shots of espresso to make a nice cold coconut milk drink. Iced coconut milk lattes are the perfect pick-me-up on a hot day!

To make an iced coconut milk latte, first, choose the kind of coconut milk you prefer. Many people buy coconut milk in cans. Be sure to buy coconut milk instead of coconut cream if you want an easy iced latte. Sometimes, coconut milk must be mixed from the can with a small amount of water to thin it out. Other times, you can use coconut milk straight out of the can. It all depends on what kind of coconut milk you purchase.

Now, brew your coffee extra strong or pull two shots of espresso. With the hot coffee, mix brown sugar to taste and add a few drops of vanilla extract. For this part of the drink, you are making a sweet and syrupy coffee. The coconut milk is going to thin it down to the ideal sweetness level. 

As your coffee cools off, fill a separate glass half of the way up with ice. If your coffee is still very hot, you may need to fill the glass a little more. Now, pour coconut milk into the glass. Lastly, top it all off with your sweetened coffee mixture. You can sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on top for a finishing touch! 

Coconut milk can also be blended with ice or even with vanilla ice cream and coffee to make a delicious frozen coffee smoothie. Or, freeze coffee in ice cubes and then blend them. The possibilities are endless! It all depends on what you are craving. If you aren't sure what kind of coffee goes best with coconut milk, you might want to browse through some of our fine Kona coffee beans. 

Why try coconut milk coffee?

Not everyone is sold on the idea of using coconut milk in coffee. That is totally fine! The main reasons to use coconut milk in coffee are because it is free of dairy, gentle on the stomach, naturally hydrating, creamy, a tad sweet, and full of nutrients. 

What are the main coconut milk benefits?

Coconut milk has many benefits. Specifically, coconut milk is high in vitamin E, protein, antioxidants, and natural electrolytes. As such, it is refreshing and great for refueling. 

What's the difference between coconut milk vs coconut cream?

Coconut milk and coconut cream differ in the same way that condensed milk and regular milk differ. So, coconut cream is basically a condensed and sweetened form of coconut milk. 

Is coconut milk organic?

It depends on the type of coconut milk you buy! There are definitely many organic coconut milk products available to try. 

Is coconut milk good for you?

Coconut milk is good for you in the sense that it contains protein, vitamin E, key nutrients, and has many rehydrating properties. At the same time, coconut milk is pretty high in calories. So, if you are trying to find a milk substitute that is also a low-calorie solution, coconut milk might not be the best choice. 

Can you use coconut milk in smoothies with coffee?

Absolutely! Coconut milk is absolutely delicious in fruit smoothies or blended coffee drinks. You can also use condensed coconut milk, sometimes also called coconut cream. 

Is coconut milk dairy free?

Coconut milk is naturally free of lactose. Therefore, it is not considered a dairy product because it is derived from a plant as opposed to from a mammal. Coconut milk is non-dairy milk that can suit a lactose-free diet.

What's the difference between coconut milk vs almond milk?

Obviously, coconut milk comes from coconuts while almond milk comes from almonds. In taste, these two plant-based milk substitutes differ greatly. Almond milk is thinner and has a more watery almond flavor with an occasional aftertaste, depending on the brand.

On the other hand, coconut milk is sweeter, creamier, and also tends to be rather refreshing with minimal aftertaste. Coconut milk is almost always thicker than almond milk as well. 

Is it better to use coconut milk with coffee?

If you are trying to find a good milk substitute to use with coffee, coconut milk is a great choice. Coconut milk is really delicious and has many healthy properties. However, coconut milk is also higher in calories than many other non-dairy milk substitutes. So, if you are trying to avoid lactose and want something creamy and your coffee, coconut milk is a wonderful choice.

However, if you are trying to cut calories, coconut milk won't do you any favors. With that being said, coconut milk has many nutritious benefits and it's high in protein. So, if you are trying to work healthy milk substitutes into your diet, coconut milk is still a good choice. 

Is there a difference between coconut milk vs coconut cream?

Coconut milk and coconut cream differ in thickness and potency. Coconut milk is usually three parts water (or coconut water) with one part shredded coconut pulp. On the other hand, coconut cream is usually three parts coconut with one part water. Coconut cream also tends to be mixed with sugar. 

Coconut milk may or may not be sweetened. It all depends on the type of coconut milk or coconut cream you are using. Coconut cream can be mixed into a coconut milk substitute as well by using coconut water or regular water and sugar. Both of these coconut products usually come in a can to keep them fresher for longer.