Fats & Oils
Coconut Milk (Light) in gelato
Light coconut milk is a reduced-fat, water-diluted extract of grated mature coconut. In gelato it acts as a non-dairy fat and flavor source, delivering coconut character and body with far less fat than full-fat coconut milk and almost no sweetening or anti-freeze power.
Balancing parameters
Per 100 g of product, verified against independent food-science sources (listed below).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solids | 9.2% |
| Water | 90.8% |
| Sugars | 1.7% |
| Fat | 6% |
| MSNF | 0% |
| Protein | 0.5% |
| POD (sweetening power) | 1.7 |
| PAC (anti-freezing power) | 2 |
Typical use: 15-40% of the total mix for a coconut-based vegan gelato or sorbet, higher when it is the sole liquid/fat source.
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Open the balancerHow to use it in gelato
Use light coconut milk as the liquid base for vegan or dairy-free coconut gelato and sorbet, or to lighten a full-fat coconut base. Its sugar content is tiny and sucrose-dominant, so its contribution to POD (~1.7) and PAC (~2) is negligible: you must build sweetness and freezing-point depression with your sugar blend, not with the milk. Its value is fat (~6g/100g, highly saturated and rich in lauric acid) plus coconut flavor and a small amount of solids for body. Because it carries less fat and fewer total solids than full-fat coconut milk, expect a lighter, potentially icier body; compensate with added fat (coconut cream or oil), extra non-fat solids, or a touch more stabilizer to control ice crystals.
Origin & background
Coconut milk, the liquid pressed from grated mature coconut flesh, has been a culinary staple across South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean for centuries. Commercial canned coconut milk was industrialized in the 20th century; 'light' (reduced-fat) versions are typically the thinner second press or the standard milk diluted with water, marketed from the late 20th century as lower-calorie options. USDA and national food tables list light versions at roughly 5-7g fat per 100g versus about 21g for full-fat canned coconut milk.