Can you heat coconut milk for coffee?
In this brief article, we will answer the question “Can you heat coconut milk for coffee?”, discuss how to safely heat it, and discuss the health benefits of using coconut milk.
Can you heat coconut milk for coffee?
Yes, you can heat coconut milk for coffee on a gentle flame without letting it boil. This is because boiling it may cause it to split or curdle. This usually happens with fresh homemade coconut milk as it has less fat content which leaves it unstable.
Store bought or canned coconut milk contains stabilizers which prevent curdling at higher temperatures. So you can boil this kind of coconut milk but it may also start to split up which is rare.
If the store bought coconut milk is organic then it will lack stabilizers and will most definitely split.
One thing to keep in mind is that if the coconut milk you are using is low-fat then it will curdle at higher temperatures. Coconut milk with higher fat content will not split.
You can also make your own batch of fresh coconut milk by buying mature brown coconuts and grating their flesh. Then soak the flesh in hot water for a couple of hours. After this, place the mixture in a cheesecloth and strain it.
Yes, it is that easy. Store bought coconut milk comes in different consistencies because it is further processed after straining. But if it is not available in any grocery store, you can make your own. It is also economical and cheaper.
What to do if coconut milk starts to curdle?
Higher temperatures cause the coconut milk to curdle and form curds. Curds do not necessarily alter the taste of coconut milk but may alter its texture.
Small curds may even go undetected but if you are suspecting that the coconut milk is starting to curdle then keep stirring until they dissolve and blend. Constant stirring is the way to prevent coconut milk from splitting up.
If you are using coconut milk for something else other than coffee, for example in a curry, it is most likely to curdle owing to higher temperature.
In this case, add a tablespoon of cornflour to a bowl and mix it with water. Stir it to make a paste. Now gradually add this paste to the curry while stirring. Cornflour paste will bring the milk together again.
Learn more about cooking with coconut milk here.
What are the health benefits of coconut milk?
Coconut milk is made with water so its composition mainly consists of water. On top of that it has much less fats as compared to regular milk.
Coconut milk is advisable for people looking to lose weight due to its less fat content. You can simply switch coconut milk with regular milk in your diet such as milk shakes. A lot of gym trainers advise their trainees to use coconut milk in their protein shakes in place of regular milk.
People suffering from high cholesterol levels should also use coconut milk as it is rich in saturated fats. Coconut milk increases HDL and reduces LDL in the body. LDL is known as the “bad” cholesterol while HDL is known as the “good” cholesterol.
Lower levels of cholesterol also maintain heart health. Blood vessels are less likely to be blocked which in turn protects against ischemic heart diseases such as heart attack.
According to some studies, coconut milk also has the tendency to reduce inflammation and swelling in case of an injury.
It can also fight off bacteria and viruses that are likely to cause an infection.
If somebody is suffering from stomach ulcers, regular milk may be irritating their stomach even more. These people can use coconut milk as it can reduce the size of stomach ulcers and it is also light on the stomach.
So, coconut milk is a healthier choice in terms of a healthy heart. You should switch to coconut milk if you wish to pursue a healthier lifestyle.
Other FAQs about Coconut that you may be interested in.
Can I substitute coconut cream for coconut milk?
Conclusion
In this brief article, we answered the question “Can you heat coconut milk for coffee?”, discussed how to safely heat it, and discussed the health benefits of using coconut milk.
