The Pure and Minimalist Ingredient List
Native Forest Simple Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk stands out for its straightforward and clean ingredient list. It is favored by those with dietary restrictions or who choose to avoid additives and gums. The product contains just two ingredients:
Organic Coconut
Native Forest sources organic coconuts from areas like Sri Lanka or Thailand, known for their fertile palms. The company supports sustainable organic farming. To make the milk, the fresh organic coconut meat is pressed for a rich extract, providing the creamy texture and classic flavor.
Filtered Water
The second ingredient is pure, filtered water. It's combined with the coconut extract to achieve the right consistency, ensuring no extra contaminants are introduced. This simple blend is a traditional way to make coconut milk, similar to a homemade version.
Comparison of Native Forest Coconut Milks
Native Forest offers different coconut milk varieties. The 'Simple' version is distinct due to the absence of emulsifiers like guar gum.
| Feature | Native Forest Simple Organic Coconut Milk | Native Forest Classic Organic Coconut Milk | Native Forest Light Organic Coconut Milk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Organic Coconut, Filtered Water | Organic Coconut, Filtered Water, Organic Guar Gum | Organic Coconut, Filtered Water, Organic Guar Gum |
| Emulsifiers | No guar gum or other emulsifiers | Contains organic guar gum (less than 1%) | Contains organic guar gum (less than 1%) |
| Consistency | Separates, requires shaking | Creamier, more uniform due to guar gum | Thinner, less fat than Classic |
| Best For | Cooking where separation is okay, avoiding gums | Sauces and curries needing smooth consistency | Lower-fat recipes, beverages |
Why 'Simple' Avoids Guar Gum
Guar gum is a natural thickener from the guar plant, used in many coconut milks to prevent separation and keep a uniform texture. While generally safe, some people are sensitive or prefer to avoid additives. The 'Simple' version meets this need with its pure, two-ingredient formula.
Natural Separation Explained
Without stabilizers like guar gum, Native Forest simple coconut milk will naturally separate into a cream layer on top and water below. This is normal for a product with a simple composition. A good shake before opening mixes it back into a smooth liquid. For some cooking, like separating cream for desserts, this can be advantageous.
Conclusion
The appeal of Native Forest simple coconut milk lies in its ingredient simplicity: just organic coconut and filtered water. This offers a clean option for those avoiding thickeners. Its simple nature means separation occurs, so shaking is necessary. Choosing the 'simple' variety means getting a pure, additive-free coconut milk with full flavor. Find more information on the Native Forest official website.
