Can a vegan drink coconut milk? An ethical and nutritional guide

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

While the coconut fruit itself is 100% plant-based, a PETA investigation revealed that some suppliers in Thailand use monkeys for harvesting, raising significant ethical concerns for vegans. Understanding this nuance is key to answering the question: Can a vegan drink coconut milk?

Quick Summary

Coconut milk is a plant-based beverage, generally suitable for a vegan diet, though ethical concerns exist regarding harvesting methods in some regions. Vegans must research brands to ensure cruelty-free sourcing. It is a versatile, dairy-free alternative used in many recipes.

Key Points

Check for Ethical Sourcing: Some coconut harvesting, particularly in Thailand, involves the exploitation of monkeys, an ethical concern for vegans.
Choose Reputable Brands: Opt for brands that are certified cruelty-free or are transparent about their sourcing from regions with no history of using monkey labor, such as Brazil or the Philippines.
Rich in MCTs and Minerals: Coconut milk contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can provide energy, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium.
Versatile Dairy Alternative: Its creamy texture makes it a perfect substitute for dairy in a wide range of dishes, including curries, soups, sauces, and desserts.
Two Main Types: Be aware of the difference between full-fat, canned coconut milk for cooking and thinner, cartoned coconut milk for drinks, as their uses and nutritional profiles vary.
Balance Your Intake: While nutritious, coconut milk is also high in saturated fat, so it's best consumed in moderation as part of a balanced vegan diet.

The Simple Answer: Is Coconut Milk Vegan?

At its most basic level, yes, coconut milk is vegan. It is a creamy white liquid extracted from the grated flesh of mature coconuts and mixed with water. Since it contains no animal-derived ingredients, it is a plant-based, dairy-free milk alternative that is suitable for a vegan lifestyle. However, for many vegans, the ethical considerations extend beyond just the ingredients. This is where the simple answer becomes more complex.

The Ethical Dilemma: Monkey Labor in Coconut Harvesting

An extensive investigation by PETA exposed a concerning practice within the coconut industry, particularly in Thailand, where some farms use monkeys for harvesting. The investigation found that monkeys are often taken from their families, fitted with metal collars, and trained to pick coconuts, a process many consider to be animal exploitation and abuse. This practice runs contrary to the ethical foundations of veganism, which seeks to avoid all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. As a result, many brands and major retailers have ceased stocking products from implicated suppliers.

How to Ensure Your Coconut Milk is Cruelty-Free

For compassionate consumers, ensuring your coconut milk is ethically sourced is paramount. Fortunately, it is possible to find cruelty-free options with a little research. Here are some steps you can take:

Check the Country of Origin: Coconuts from countries like Brazil, Colombia, Hawaii, India, and the Philippines are generally harvested using methods that do not involve monkeys. Be wary of brands that source exclusively from Thailand unless they have explicit ethical certifications.
Look for Ethical Certifications: Seek out brands that publicly state their commitment to ethical harvesting and animal welfare. Some will have specific labels indicating cruelty-free practices. PETA has compiled a list of brands to avoid and ethical brands to support.
Research the Brand's Policies: Many conscious brands will detail their sourcing policies on their websites. A reputable company should be transparent about where and how its coconuts are sourced, confirming that they do not use monkey labor.
Support Retailer Efforts: Choose to shop at stores that have committed to dropping brands that use forced monkey labor. Supporting these retailers encourages broader industry-wide change.

Nutritional Profile: What a Vegan Gets from Coconut Milk

Beyond the ethics, coconut milk offers a distinct nutritional profile that can be a beneficial addition to a vegan diet. It is an excellent source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat that is easily digested and converted into energy. Coconut milk also contains essential minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. While it is higher in saturated fat compared to some other plant milks, these fats are metabolized differently, and when consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet. It is important to note the difference between full-fat, canned coconut milk and the lower-fat, cartoned beverage versions, as their nutritional content varies significantly.

Culinary Versatility in a Vegan Kitchen

Coconut milk is a must-have pantry staple for many vegans due to its incredible versatility. Its rich and creamy texture makes it a perfect dairy substitute in a wide variety of dishes.

Curries and Soups: It forms the creamy base for countless Southeast Asian curries and hearty soups, such as Thai green curry or a butternut squash soup.
Desserts: The high fat content of full-fat coconut milk makes it ideal for creating luxurious vegan desserts like ice cream, puddings, cheesecakes, and whipped cream.
Sauces: It can be used to make creamy pasta sauces, such as a vegan alfredo, or to enrich sauces and gravies.
Smoothies and Drinks: Cartoned coconut milk, being thinner, works well in smoothies, coffee, and lattes for a tropical twist.

Comparing Coconut Milk to Other Plant-Based Options

When choosing a plant-based milk, it's helpful to compare your options. Different milks offer unique flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits, making them suitable for various uses.


Feature	Coconut Milk	Oat Milk	Almond Milk
Creaminess	Rich and high in fat (canned) to thinner (carton)	Very creamy and smooth	Thinner and watery
Flavor Profile	Mildly sweet and tropical	Naturally sweet and mild	Light, nutty flavor
Primary Use	Curries, soups, desserts	Coffee, smoothies, baking	Cereal, smoothies, general use
Nutritional Highlights	MCTs, iron, potassium	Fiber (beta-glucans), B12	Low in calories, Vitamin E
Ethical Concern	Potential for monkey labor in sourcing	Generally high-sustainability	High water usage in production

Conclusion: A Vegan Kitchen Essential with a Conscientious Choice

Coconut milk is an excellent dairy alternative for vegans, providing a rich, creamy texture and a host of nutrients that are invaluable in plant-based cooking. While the product itself is free from animal ingredients, the unfortunate reality of monkey labor in parts of the coconut industry means that ethical sourcing is a critical concern for any vegan consumer. By doing a small amount of research, checking for certifications, and purchasing from reputable brands that explicitly commit to cruelty-free harvesting, vegans can confidently enjoy coconut milk while staying true to their ethical principles. It remains a versatile and delicious cornerstone of many vegan diets, from curries to desserts, provided that care is taken to ensure its journey from palm to pantry is a compassionate one.

PETA's Guide to Choosing Cruelty-Free Coconut Milk

Frequently Asked Questions

The ethical concern arises because some farms, particularly in parts of Thailand, have been found to use forced monkey labor to harvest coconuts. The practice is seen as animal abuse and exploitation, a direct violation of vegan ethics.

To ensure your coconut milk is cruelty-free, check the country of origin, look for brands with ethical certifications, and research their sourcing policies to confirm they do not use monkey labor. Products sourced from countries like the Philippines and Brazil are generally considered safer.

Yes, canned coconut milk is suitable for vegans as it is a dairy-free, plant-based product. However, it is essential to ensure the brand follows ethical harvesting practices and does not use monkey labor.

Coconut milk is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), healthy fats that can be a source of energy. It also contains important minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Yes, coconut milk can be used in baking as a substitute for dairy milk. The high-fat canned version is particularly good for creating rich, creamy desserts and ice cream, while the cartoned version works well in recipes requiring a lighter milk.

Coconut milk is known for its richness and tropical flavor, especially when compared to the thinner consistency and milder flavor of almond or oat milk. It is higher in fat but lower in protein than soy milk.

No, coconut milk is produced in various countries around the world. While Thailand is a major producer, many brands source their coconuts from other regions like the Philippines, India, and Brazil, where monkey labor is not typically used.