Coconut Around the World: How Different Cultures Cook with This Versatile Ingredient

Coconut is one of the world’s most versatile ingredients. Appearing in cuisines throughout Asia, India, Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond, it is used in everything from savory curries to drinks and desserts. For cooking purposes, coconut is available in milk, cream, water, oil, flaked, and fresh forms.

Take a culinary trip around the world at your favorite international market. We’re your source for fresh coconut and international coconut products.

How is coconut used in cooking?

All versions of coconut are used in cooking, with each serving a different purpose. The mild sweetness of coconut complements spicy, salty, sour, and savory flavors.

• Coconut Milk: used in curries, soups, and rice
• Coconut Cream: gives body to richer sauces and desserts
• Fresh/Grated Coconut: a common ingredient in chutneys, toppings, and desserts
• Coconut Water: the basis for beverages and refreshments
• Coconut Oil: used in cooking and frying
• Sweetened Shreddeedd/Dried Coconut: used in baking and sweets

Remember that coconut milk and coconut cream aren’t necessarily interchangeable. Coconut cream has a higher fat content and thicker consistency that can alter the flavor and texture of your dish.

Coconut in Indian Cuisine

Coconut is particularly important in South Indian and coastal cuisines where it is used in curries, sweets, and chutneys like this Coconut Chutney.

How to Make Coconut Chutney

• 1 cup freshly grated coconut
• 1 – 2 green chiles
• 1/2-inch peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon roasted chana dal (lentils)
• 1/4 cup water
• Salt, to taste

Blend all ingredients. Good served alongside tandoori meats or as an accompaniment to dosas and idli.

Coconut Milk in Thai Cuisine

Coconut milk provides a richness to curries while balancing hot chiles, herbs, and aromatics. This Thai Green Curry relies ona rich gravy of coconut milk, green curry paste, and Thai basil to complement chunks of vegetables and chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

How to Make Thai Green Curry

• 1 tablespoon coconut or vegetable oil
• 2 to 3 tablespoons Thai green curry paste
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 1-pound protein
• 1 1/2-cups vegetables
• 1 tablespoon fish or soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm or coconut sugar
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves

1. Fry the curry paste in the oil.
2. Add half the coconut milk and the protein. Mix well and simmer 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the remaining coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar. Blend well and simmer an additional 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in fresh Thai basil leaves.

Serve over hot steamed rice. The coconut milk in the curry works to mellow the heat without eliminating the bold flavors of the ingredients.

Coconut in Filipino Cuisine

In the Phillippines where coconut trees are abundant, coconut milk is commonly called gata. Ginataang Gulay is made by simmering vegetables in coconut milk and coconut cream with aromatics and Filipino seasonings.

How to Make Ginataang Gulay

• 1 Tablespoon cooking oil
• Garlic, ginger, onion
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 cup coconut cream
• 2 cups cubed squash
• 1 1/2 cups green beans
• 1 Tablespoon shrimp paste or fish sauce
• 1 to 2 sliced green Thai chiles

1. Heat oil over medium heat.
2. Saute garlic, ginger, and onion until fragrant.
3. Add coconut milk, shrimp paste, and squash. Simmer 6 to 8 minutes, until barely tender.
4. Stir in green beans, chiles, and coconut cream. Simmer uncovered an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Serve with steamed rice.

Coconut crosses from dinner to dessert in chilled treats like Buko Pandan, made with tender coconut strips and fragrant green pandan jelly tossed in a rich, sweet cream dressing.

Coconut in Latin American & Caribbean Cooking

Coconut is especially prominent in the cuisines of tropical and coastal regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. Coconut Rice is made by cooking rice in coconut milk for subtle sweetness and richness.

How to Make Coconut Rice

• 1 1/2-cups washed rice
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt, to taste

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes to continue steaming.
5. Fluff rice with a fork before serving.

Often paired with seafood, grilled meats, beans, and plaintains, variations of classic coconut rice are found throughout Central America. Coconut-based sweets like Cocados, oven-baked coconut candies, and beverages such as Coquito, a rich, creamy, chilled coconut drink originating in Puerto Rico,  are also regional favorites.

Coconut in Modern Asian Desserts

Coconut is historically more significant to Southeast Asian cuisine than it is to specifically Japanese cuisine. Still, modern desserts increasingly incorporate coconut with the traditional flavors of Japan as in Matcha-Coconut Desserts, Mochi with Coconut, and Coconut Milk Puddings. Often included in American desserts such as cakes, ice creams, and cream pies, coconut is a prime example of how traditional ingredients and modern global influences continue to intersect.

Which type of coconut should you use?

The type of coconut you use depends on what you are making. Soups and curries usually work best with the water content typical of coconut milk while coconut cream lends itself to desserts and rich sauces. Fresh coconut is grated into chutneys and toppings, and dried coconut is found in baking and sweets. Coconut water is delicious on its own or incorporated into iced beverages. Coconut oil is used in cooking and frying.

By tailoring the form of coconut you use to your recipe’s functional role, you can achieve ideal texture, moisture, and depth of flavor in every dish whether you need liquid, fat, fresh, or dried coconut.

Find Coconut Products at International Fresh Market

The versatility of coconut allows different cultures to transform the same ingredient into a variety of dishes according to regional preferences and ingredient availabilities. Whether used in an appetizer, main dish, dessert, or drink, coconut complements all levels of flavor in a unique way.

Try a coconut recipe from a cuisine you haven’t tried before, and let International Fresh Market supply the coconut milk, cream, fresh coconut, shredded coconut, international spices, produce, and other ingredients. For cooking inspiration, explore our global aisles.

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