Coconut milk is one of the most versatile ingredients in any kitchen. You probably know that coconut milk can be used in curries, but did you know it can also be used as a milk alternative in tea or coffee?
In this article, you’ll learn how to use coconut milk in tea or coffee. Most people hesitate to use coconut milk for brewing a cup of coffee or tea and prefer other milk alternatives.
There is no doubt that coconut milk can be the best and the healthiest option for brewing a delicious cup of tea or coffee for your loved ones.
How to use Coconut Milk in Tea?
If you prefer drinking tea without dairy products, coconut milk is for you. Add 2-4 teaspoons of coconut milk to your favorite hot black tea, or add coconut milk first, then slowly add hot tea. If you want an extra kick of coconut flavor, you may top off your tea or coffee with a dash of cinnamon.
However, you have to keep two things in mind when preparing tea using coconut milk. Firstly, the tea would taste like coconuts. The taste might not be as strong as eating coconuts; however, it might be more robust than a light flavor of coconut water.
Secondly, there are chances of coconut milk curdling in your tea. So, if the tea you are drinking is highly acidic, you must let it cool for a minute before adding coconut milk to it.
Adding coconut milk to tea is a great way to add flavor without adding calories. The trick is to choose the right amount of coconut milk.
Can I Use Coconut Milk in Coffee?
Another question that might be pondering in your mind is, “Can I use coconut milk in coffee?” The most straightforward to this question is: Once again, yes, you can.
I recommend adding 3-5 teaspoons of your favorite brand of coconut milk.
Coconut milk has become a great alternative to dairy milk in coffee for preparing coffee at home or cafes. Most coffee enthusiasts are replacing coconut milk with traditional milk as it offers a healthy replacement and produces a delicious and creamier cup of coffee.
Why Use Coconut Milk for Preparing Tea or Coffee?
Coconut milk offers a sweet, floral, and nutty flavor, giving the tea and coffee beans a unique taste. The creamy nature and elegant taste of coconut milk make it a delicious choice for tea drinkers.
Coconut milk is known to contain electrolytes, lauric acid, capric acid, and antimicrobial lipids, which are known to possess antifungal and antiviral properties.
Pros of Coconut Milk
- Coconut milk offers a creamy nature and a unique and elegant taste
- Coconut milk contains vitamins C & E, which are best known for their anti-oxidant properties
- Coconut milk is known to have lauric acid, which is best known for its antiseptic properties
- It helps in strengthening the immune system
- Coconut milk offers a delicious flavor, mainly when used for preparing hot drinks.
- Coconut milk is easily available.
Is It Safe to Use Coconut Milk for Preparing Tea or Coffee?
Whenever we think of coconut milk, our mind takes us to tropical destinations with sun-kissed beaches, and we start imagining palm trees swaying in the wind.
However, it is not specific to tropical areas. The best thing about coconut milk is that it is delicious and can be enjoyed in all climates and destinations.
However, it must be kept in mind that coconut milk is high in saturated fats. Also, this milk splits in tea. The saturated fats in coconut milk are made up of short and medium-chained fatty acids, which the body quickly turns into energy and does not store as fat.
Although coconut milk is high in saturated fats, it still aids in weight loss.
Let’s enlist a few cons of using coconut milk to brew a cup of tea.
Cons of Coconut Milk
- Coconut milk is high in saturated fats
- Coconut milk contains fermentable carbohydrates, which may cause digestive issues and lead to diarrhea or constipation.
- Coconut milk splits in tea.
Which Tea Pairs Perfectly with Coconut Milk?
Having understood the benefits of coconut milk, you might be wondering which tea pairs perfectly with coconut milk. Search no more. Here we will share a few best tea options that perfectly pair with coconut milk.
Masala Chai & Coconut Milk
Using coconut milk to prepare a delicious cup of Chai results in a healthy drink that will soothe your body and soul.
This tea is straightforward to prepare and is an excellent addition to your daily routine. Combining coconut milk with chai’s nutritional and healing properties offers a perfect pairing. Once you drink this tea, it will become your new go-to beverage. Developing a habit of drinking Masala chai prepared with coconut milk leads to a healthy lifestyle.
- Black Tea & Coconut Milk
Black tea is probably the most widely consumed type of tea in the sub-continent. People in the sub-continent are now replacing ordinary milk with coconut milk to prepare a delicious cup of black tea. Black tea offers a creamy texture and a high nutritional profile when prepared with coconut milk.
Above all, preparing this delicious tea is super easy. All you need is a small amount of sugar, a few teabags, and coconut milk. Do try this delicious and healthy beverage at your home.
You will surely love its taste and unique texture. I guarantee black tea with coconut milk will become a part of your daily routine after just one trial drink.
- Herbal Tea & Coconut Milk
Another perfect tea pairing is; herbal tea and coconut milk. Most people prefer herbal tea with coconut milk because it does not contain sugar or dairy.
Herbal teas offer a delicious taste; however, they become freaking delicious, healthy, and super creamy when you prepare these teas using coconut milk.
Once you start combining coconut milk to prepare these healthy tea options at home, you won’t need to visit the coffee shop daily, and your wallet will be happy.
Although coffee shops has started offering coconut milk as an substitute; be aware these coconut milks contain additives.
So, it is always a healthier option to combine coconut milk with your favorite variant of tea and enjoy a delicious and healthy cup right at home.
Coconut Milk vs. Coconut Milk Powder
Many people get confused about coconut milk and coconut milk powder and believe that both are the same things. This isn’t true. Let’s discover the difference between these two.
- Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a liquid that is extracted from the meat of a mature coconut. The white flesh of the ripe coconut is grated or shredded and then blended with water to make coconut milk. It has a sweet, nutty taste that is hard to resist. You can use coconut milk to make hot or cold tea.
- Coconut Milk Powder
On the flip side, coconut milk powder is extracted from fresh and dehydrated coconut milk. Coconut milk powder is made from coconut milk which is dried at high temperature into ground white powder. Being rich in flavor, coconut milk powder is mainly used for thickening curries and soups.
Final Words
Coconut milk is a healthy and delicious replacement for dairy milk. People in the sub-continent widely use this milk to prepare their favorite coffees and teas.
We suggest you give this beverage a try. You will be surprised to see its health benefits, creamy nature, and delicious taste. After a single drink, coconut milk, coffee, and tea will become a part of your daily routine.
Photo altered by dejittr.com | Photo attribution: Tijana Drndarski
