Two delicious milk options show their tropical influences in today’s showdown!
Brazil nut milk is the dairy-free, rich, and nutty beverage that’s gaining popularity for its great taste and ease of making at home – plus, it’s a plant-based milk just like coconut milk!
Coconut milk is a more popular choice, and is often used as an alternative to regular milk. It boasts a delicious and distinct flavor profile, and has some amazing dietary versatility that makes it a wonderful option for many people!
As great as these two sound, there can only be one winner today. We’ll compare everything about them, finding out what things one does better than the other!
Let’s check them out!
Comparing Brazil nut milk vs coconut milk
Brazil nut milk is an interesting one because Brazil nuts are technically seeds, but have the components of tree nuts. This means that the milk has tree nuts as an allergen, as does coconut milk – a lot of people that have a tree nut allergy can eat coconut products with no problems, so talk to a physician!
Both milks can be used for vegan, paleo, and keto diets, but only if Brazil nut milk is homemade with paleo and keto friendly ingredients.
| Brazil nut milk | Coconut milk | |
| Type | Plant-based (brazil nut is technically a seed!) | Plant-based (nut milk) |
| Allergens | Tree nuts | Tree nuts* |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Likely, if made with paleo-friendly ingredients | Yes |
| Keto? | Likely, if made with keto-friendly ingredients | Yes |
*Most people with tree nut allergies can consume coconut products, so talk to your physician!
Differences between Brazil nut milk and coconut milk
The main difference between Brazil nut milk and coconut milk is how they taste.
Brazil nut milk is made by blending Brazil nuts with water, taking advantage of the buttery and rich nuts to create a milk with a nutty flavor and creamy texture. It’ll likely remind you of cashew milk!
Its nutty flavor profile is generally mild, and tastes somewhat similar to regular cow’s milk with some earthy undertones.
Coconut milk is made from coconuts, and therefore boasts a coconut flavor with nutty undertones. It comes in two different versions: carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk.
Carton coconut milk is what you drink, while canned coconut milk is mostly solid at room temperature and mainly used for baking and cooking different coconuty recipes!
To make carton coconut milk, thicker coconut milk or coconut cream are blended with water, while canned coconut milk is made by heating high-fat coconut pulp in hot water and then extracting the liquid from the solid pulp.
Coconut milk (the version you drink) is creamy, but thinner than Brazil nut milk since it has less fat!
How to use Brazil nut milk vs coconut milk
Try using your Brazil nut milk and coconut milk like this:
Brazil nut milk:
- Use as a dairy-free alternative.
- Add a nutty flavor into your coffee.
- Mix into your smoothies and oatmeal for a creamy addition.
- Pour over cereal.
- Enjoy it as a standalone refreshment.
- Add it to puddings and ice creams for a velvety texture.
Coconut milk:
- Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
- Make coconut creamer with it.
- Add it to your smoothies.
- Splash it over your cereal or into your oatmeal.
- Bake and cook with it for a tropical addition.
- Make coconut yogurt.
Can you substitute Brazil nut milk for coconut milk?
You can use these two interchangeably in most cases! Both milks are creamy, although Brazil nut milk is a bit thicker and creamier than coconut milk. Their flavors are the biggest difference between the two, so be aware of how they affect whatever you pair them with!
Nutrition: Brazil nut milk vs coconut milk
Brazil nut milk is rare to find in stores, and its nutritional values aren’t readily available yet. However, we know that it’s low in carbs and has a better protein content than coconut milk. Plus, Brazil nuts have selenium in them, which is a mineral that supports thyroid and cognitive health – that’s a great benefit!
You’ll also find more calories in Brazil nut milk than coconut milk, along with a much higher fat content – that boosts the richness and creaminess of the milk!
Coconut milk is quite low in calories, and has 3.5 grams of saturated fat per serving. It’s also very low in carbs, with almost no sugar! However, it has a very poor protein content – there’s no protein at all! To make up for that, it has a very good source of calcium and vitamin D!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Brazil nut milk | Coconut milk |
| Calories | 219 | 40 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 22 g (? g) | 4 g (3.5 g) |
| Total carbs | 4 g | 2 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | ? | <1 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 5 g | 0 g |
| Calcium | ? | 45% DV |
| Vit D | ? | 20% DV |
How to store Brazil nut milk and coconut milk
Brazil nut milk should be stored based on the best-before dates and storage instructions on any packaged versions that you may have found. However, it’s more likely that you’re making your own milk at home, which should be stored in the fridge and consumed within 5 days.
Canned coconut milk should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge once you open it. It’ll last about 7 days there, while carton coconut milk should be stored in the fridge constantly and be consumed within 5-7 days after opening.
Full-fat coconut milk lasts longer than low-fat types, so keep that in mind when you’re storing it! You can also freeze your coconut milk if you want to keep it for up to a month.
Brazil nut milk vs coconut milk: The ultimate verdict
So, should you choose the creamy and buttery Brazil nut milk or the distinct and popular coconut milk?
Both milks offer unique advantages over one another, and a lot of it comes down to preference…
That being said, I recommend you try out Brazil nut milk, but coconut milk takes the win for being more accessible, having available nutritional information, and for providing a more unique experience.
FAQs
That mainly comes down to what you prefer, as they’re both great options depending on what you want.
You’ll find health benefits and drawbacks in many different types of milk, so check them out to find one that fits your needs – or talk to a health professional!
Coconut milk can be a poor choice if you’re allergic to coconuts, or don’t like its distinct flavor.
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