Which Brands of Coconut Milk Are Full Fat?

December 28, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, coconut milk must contain at least 10% fat to be classified as such, while coconut cream requires 20% or more. This guide explores which specific brands on the market deliver a truly full-fat product for your culinary needs.

Quick Summary

An overview of the best full-fat coconut milk brands, including what to look for when shopping for maximum richness and creamy flavor. Compare popular options for cooking, baking, and creating dairy-free treats.

Key Points

Aroy-D in a carton is a top choice: A favorite among Thai cooks for its pure coconut flavor and lack of stabilizers, which is ideal for authentic curries where the fat is intended to separate.
Check for 'Full-Fat' on the label: Always choose cans labeled "full-fat" or a similar term to ensure maximum creaminess, avoiding "lite" or "reduced-fat" versions that are watered down.
Separation is a good sign: A thick, solid layer of coconut cream at the top of an unshaken can is a natural indication of high fat content and few additives.
Read the ingredient list: For the purest flavor, look for a short ingredient list, ideally just coconut and water, to avoid unwanted gums and emulsifiers.
Consider the application: For recipes demanding a smooth, consistent texture like baking, a brand with a small amount of stabilizer may be suitable, while purer options are better for traditional curries.

Understanding Full-Fat Coconut Milk

Full-fat coconut milk is the key to creating rich, luscious curries, creamy desserts, and decadent sauces. It is made by pressing the meat of mature coconuts and contains the highest concentration of coconut fat. This is different from "light" or "reduced-fat" versions, which have been diluted with more water, resulting in a thinner consistency and less flavor. The fat content is crucial, as it provides the desired texture and flavor that recipes often depend on.

When buying canned coconut milk, you might notice a solid white layer at the top and a more watery liquid beneath. This separation is natural and is a good sign that you have a high-fat product, especially if it contains few or no added stabilizers or emulsifiers. Brands that use fewer additives often separate more readily, but combine beautifully when heated and stirred. For creamy, robust results, full-fat is always the superior choice.

Top Full-Fat Coconut Milk Brands

Several brands are well-regarded for their high-quality, full-fat coconut milk. Each has unique characteristics that might make it better suited for certain applications.

Aroy-D (Carton): A favorite among Thai chefs for its pure coconut flavor and creamy texture, Aroy-D offers a carton product that contains 100% coconut milk with no added stabilizers like guar gum. This results in a thick, rich product that is excellent for curries where you want the fat to separate and 'break' for a restaurant-style finish. Its lack of additives also makes it a cleaner option for those who prefer minimal ingredients.
Thai Kitchen (Organic): This brand is widely available and offers a reliable organic, full-fat option. While some canned versions may contain guar gum, the organic variety is known for its rich flavor and consistent texture, making it a solid all-purpose choice for both cooking and baking. It’s a good choice for those prioritizing organic ingredients.
Trader Joe's (Organic): Taste tests have often ranked Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Milk highly for its fresh, vibrant, and balanced coconut flavor. It strikes a good balance between creaminess and flavor, making it a great all-purpose canned coconut milk. Many users prefer it for its fresh taste that doesn't overpower other ingredients in a dish.
Native Forest (Organic Simple): Native Forest offers an organic, simple version packaged in BPA-free cans. This product is known for its clean ingredients, often containing only organic coconut and water. For those concerned about additives, it is a great choice and performs well in recipes that call for a pure coconut flavor.
Thai Coco (Organic Full Fat): This organic, unsweetened option is lauded for its silky smooth texture and rich tropical flavor. It's a great option for those seeking certified organic and kosher products, and it works wonderfully in both savory and sweet applications, from curries to ice cream.

How to Identify Full-Fat Coconut Milk

To ensure you're getting a true full-fat product, a little diligence is required at the grocery store. Follow these tips:

Read the Label: Look for cans labeled simply "Coconut Milk" rather than "Lite" or "Reduced Fat." Check the ingredient list to see if it's primarily coconut and water. The shorter the ingredient list, the more likely you have a pure, full-fat product.
Avoid Excess Additives: Stabilizers like guar gum, xanthan gum, or polysorbate 60 are often added to prevent the milk from separating. While not inherently bad, products without these can offer a purer, richer flavor and are often preferred by chefs for certain recipes like curries. If you want the purest, richest cream, opt for a carton brand like Aroy-D without added gums.
Shake the Can: A can of pure, full-fat coconut milk will often feel solid at the top when cold. If you give it a good shake, you may not hear much swishing around, which indicates a high concentration of solid coconut fat.

Comparison of Popular Full-Fat Coconut Milk Brands


Brand	Packaging	Notable Features	Best For	Typical Additives	Flavor Profile
Aroy-D	Aseptic Carton	100% Coconut Milk, No Additives	Traditional Thai Curries	None	Pure, Unadulterated Coconut
Thai Kitchen (Organic)	Can	Widely Available, Organic	All-Purpose Cooking & Baking	Guar Gum (canned)	Rich, Consistent
Trader Joe's (Organic)	Can	Excellent Flavor Balance	Everyday Cooking, Fresh Flavor	Varies, check label	Fresh, Vibrant Coconut
Native Forest (Simple)	BPA-Free Can	Organic, Minimal Ingredients	Health-Conscious Cooking	Sometimes Guar Gum	Clean, Pure
Thai Coco (Organic)	Can	Organic, Kosher, Silky Texture	Desserts, Smoothies, Cream	Varies, check label	Smooth, Tropical

Culinary Applications and Final Considerations

Choosing the right brand depends largely on your intended use. For an authentic, creamy Thai curry, many chefs swear by Aroy-D in the carton because the lack of stabilizers allows the fat to 'break' and separate, which is desirable in traditional recipes. For baking, where a smooth, consistent texture is key, a canned product with a small amount of stabilizer like Thai Kitchen or Native Forest may be more reliable. The most important thing is to always start with a full-fat version to achieve the richness you're looking for, rather than settling for a watery "light" alternative.

The Takeaway

For maximum flavor and richness, focus on full-fat coconut milk. When shopping, seek out brands known for their quality, such as Aroy-D, Thai Kitchen, Trader Joe's, or Native Forest. Always check the ingredient list for purity and be aware of additives like guar gum, which affect the texture. Aroy-D in a carton is the gold standard for traditional curries, while canned options like Thai Kitchen Organic or Trader Joe's Organic offer excellent versatility. No matter the brand, choosing a full-fat option will ensure the best possible result in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Selecting a high-quality, full-fat coconut milk is essential for culinary success in dishes demanding rich, creamy texture and robust flavor. Brands like Aroy-D (in the carton), Thai Kitchen, Trader Joe's, and Native Forest consistently deliver excellent results, each with its own advantages regarding additives, packaging, and flavor profile. By understanding the distinction between full-fat and light varieties and knowing what to look for on the label, you can confidently choose the best product for any recipe, from decadent desserts to savory, aromatic curries. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference and intended application, but prioritizing the full-fat content is the most important step.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the fat and water content. Full-fat coconut milk has a higher fat percentage (typically 10-20% or more) and is richer and thicker. Light coconut milk has been diluted with more water, resulting in a lower fat percentage and a thinner consistency.

Yes, it is common for full-fat coconut milk to separate, with a thick layer of coconut cream settling on top of the liquid. This is especially true for brands that don't add stabilizers like guar gum. Simply shake the can or stir the contents before use to recombine.

Many Thai chefs and home cooks favor Aroy-D coconut milk, particularly the variety sold in aseptic cartons. It contains 100% coconut milk with no additives, which is preferred for traditional cooking methods that utilize the separation of fat for flavor and texture.

While you can substitute light for full-fat coconut milk, the final dish will be less rich and creamy. For applications like curries or desserts where creaminess is vital, this can significantly impact the outcome. A better alternative is to use less full-fat milk and add water to control the richness.

Look for cans explicitly labeled "coconut milk" and check the nutritional information for a higher fat content, usually 10g or more per serving. The ingredient list should be short, ideally containing only coconut and water.

No, guar gum and other food-safe stabilizers are not inherently bad and are widely used to maintain a consistent texture and prevent separation. However, some chefs prefer to avoid them for the purest flavor and a specific cooking effect, such as the fat separating in a curry.

A quick way to check is to shake the can. If it feels solid or doesn't slosh around much, it likely contains a high concentration of coconut cream, indicating a rich, full-fat product. A very watery or liquid sound suggests a diluted, lower-fat product.