What Is Coconut Cream?

Coconut milk and coconut cream are two of the many edible products made from the fruit of the Cocos nucifera plant. In general, coconut milk and cream are made by squeezing the meat of ripe brown coconuts and saving the liquid that emerges. This thick liquid is different from coconut water, which comes from unripe, green coconuts and doesn’t involve any squeezing.

The difference between coconut cream and coconut milk: coconut cream has less water and more coconut fat than coconut milk. This makes coconut cream a creamy, luxurious-tasting alternative to dairy heavy cream in many recipes.

Many people generally use coconut milk and coconut cream as ingredients in cooking. They can be used to thicken and sweeten savory sauces or add creaminess and coconut flavor to desserts.

Though both coconut milk and coconut cream may be used as ingredients in beverages, such as the famous piña colada, they are not made for people to drink straight. A few non-dairy milk companies sell a drinkable beverage they call "coconut milk." This drink is essentially coconut cream mixed into water.