Coconut milk is essential for household use. You can use it for cooking, for hair, and for the skin. Because the benefits of coconut milk are endless, having enough is essential. So can you freeze coconut milk?
The answer to that is yes. You can freeze coconut milk for preserving purposes. Stocking on items is not new, and when you have opened milk cans, you’ll need proper storage expertise to not only preserve the milk but also keep it fresh.
Consequently, you need to know how to refrigerate coconut milk and thaw it properly. This article answers these questions. So read on to learn all about freezing coconut milk.
What is coconut milk?
Coconut milk is typically obtained from mature brown coconut flesh from the coconut tree “the Source.” However, coconut milk, unlike coconut water, does not occur naturally.
It is usually made from a mixture of both solid coconut flesh and water, which is usually 50% water and solid brown coconut flesh, to obtain the coconut milk.
This is what makes it different from “coconut water” which is naturally formed from unripe green coconut.
Coconut milk is used traditionally around the world due to its health benefits to mankind and for various reasons. For example, its nutritional value benefits cooking.
Coconut milk is a traditional ingredient used in cooking in places like Southeast Asia, Oceania, South Asia, East Africa, the Caribbean, tropical Latin America, and West Africa, other places where coconuts were introduced during the colonial era.
Can you freeze coconut milk?
Yes, you can. Coconut milk can be frozen. However, once in its frozen state the milk rises, leaving the water at the bottom or lower level.
This significant separation is a result of the high-fat content. After all, coconut milk is a combination of both its milk and water.
The composition of both milk and water can make the thawing process longer. Once the thawing process is complete it is advisable to shake the milk properly, to achieve its initial taste.
Also, keep in mind that the process of freezing and thawing destroys or changes the coconut milk’s texture and gradually saps its taste from what it used to be.
Why you should freeze coconut milk?
Freezing coconut milk is a great of preserving it and preventing waste.
Furthermore, freezing prevents bacteria from growing on food and makes coconut milk last longer. But the type of coconut milk you are using is an important factor in determining how you can use that milk once it is thawed.
Frozen coconut milk breaks into clumps when it thaws. You will have to blend it to dissolve the lumps and make it taste fresh again.
However, you may use frozen milk as it is when making sauces and dishes that need to boil.
How to freeze coconut milk?
There are two different methods of freezing coconut milk and both methods depend on the way you plan to use the milk.
Opened cartons of coconut milk should be stored in jars or tubes before freezing. If you freeze coconut milk in jars or tubes, you must thaw the milk before using it.
The other method is to make use of ice-cube trays. This method is preferable when a small amount of coconut milk is needed.
All you need to do is pour the coconut milk into the ice cube tray and freeze it. Afterward, pop the coconut milk cubes into a freezer bag and freeze. You don’t need to thaw the cubes before using them.
Pop the milk cubes directly into smoothies, sauces, and soups.
How long can you freeze coconut milk?
Coconut milk that is properly frozen can last as long as 2-3 months and still retain its quality.
Coconut milk that has been constantly frozen at 0°F will last indefinitely. However, the quality of the coconut will gradually deteriorate when it is not used within the 2-3 months period, rendering the coconut milk useless.
In addition, if you intend to keep coconut milk for a longer period, it is advisable to make use of a vacuum sealer.
The vacuum sealer sucks out the air from containers and creates a perfect seal, so the contents are not affected by oxygen.
How to thaw frozen coconut milk
You can thaw frozen coconut milk by putting it in the fridge overnight to let the ice defrost naturally or placing it in a bowl of water for faster results.
You should watch out for the separation of water and cream. It’s natural when it comes to thawing coconut milk. To get the milk balanced, blend the thawed milk or whisking machine to get its creamy look back.
Pros of freezing coconut milk
Freezing coconut milk helps to prevent waste and make milk available for long periods. It also helps to keep the milk safe and away from bacterial contamination.
Having coconut milk cubes makes it easy to whip up smoothies and other treats at any time.
Cons of freezing coconut milk
In the process of preserving the leftovers, coconut milk depreciates in nutritional value with time. There would be a noticeable change in the texture (becomes grainy), which makes it unsuitable for preparing certain soups and drinks.
The process of defrosting and thawing coconut milk also renders it “watery.” There is the risk of growing bacteria that can make the milk go bad if not properly preserved.
FAQs
Does coconut milk curdle when frozen?
Yes, it does. To increase its shelf life, coconut milk curdles. However, it is very important to know that the consistency of coconut milk can change.
It might not be the same once it has been thawed and defrosted. The fat content will split on freezing which causes a curdled texture.
What happens to coconut milk when frozen?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how long those containers can sit in the freezer. The quality of coconut milk will gradually drop with time. Nonetheless, if you use it within 2 to 3 months of freezing, it should turn out just fine.
Can you freeze a curry that has coconut milk in it?
Yes, you can. If coconut milk is used in a curry sauce, then generally it should freeze without any major problems. Other ingredients will help stabilize the milk a bit, but there is always a risk it will split slightly when thawed.
Conclusion
Coconut milk has nutritional and health benefits. For example, it helps in weight loss because it contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which researchers have linked with weight loss.
It serves a lot of culinary and non-culinary (beauty and skincare) purposes. Therefore, you need to have it kept somewhere. And where better than a freezer? You can freeze coconut milk. However, you need to keep it in an airtight container or jar.
Furthermore, thawing should include mixing the milk up in a blender to get the creamy texture back. And if you do this, you can get the best out of your coconut milk.
Thanks for reading.
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