Potato Milk vs Coconut Milk: Which Is Better?

While potato milk comes from the humble spud and coconut milk has the tropical allure of coconut, these milk alternatives are both ready to bring their unique flavors and textures to your kitchen. Both are creamy, dreamy, and have plenty of depth to offer, but where do they differ? Get ready to find out in this article!

Comparing potato milk vs coconut milk

	Potato milk	Coconut milk
Type	Plant-based	Plant-based (nuts)
Allergens	None	Tree nuts (though most people with tree nut allergies can consume coconut products)
Vegan?	Yes	Yes
Paleo?	Possibly, if homemade with paleo-friendly ingredients.	Yes
Keto?	No	Yes

While potato milk is common-allergen-free, vegan, and potentially paleo if prepared with paleo-friendly ingredients, coconut milk is crowned one of the most versatile non-dairy milks for vegan, paleo, and keto diets. And even despite coconut’s tree nut allergens, most people with nut allergies can usually enjoy coconut products without any issues.

Differences between potato milk and coconut milk

The main difference between potato milk and coconut milk is where their richness hails from – one from starchy potatoes and the other from coconut pulp, cream, or milk. Potato milk is a very sustainable milk that is said to be 56x more water-efficient than almonds and uses half as much land as oats. It naturally has a thick consistency and neutral flavor, while coconut milk boasts a creamy, indulgent texture.

There are two types of coconut milk: canned and carton. Canned coconut milk is very high in fat and mostly solid at room temperature, whereas carton coconut milk is liquid and ready to drink.

Canned coconut milk is typically used in cooking, made by heating high-fat coconut pulp in hot water and then extracting the liquid. Meanwhile, carton coconut milk is made by blending thick coconut milk or coconut cream with water, typically fortified with calcium and vitamin D. For the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing on the carton variety.

As of now, the first and main manufacturer of potato milk is the Swedish brand DUG. Their potato milks come in three versions: original, unsweetened, and a barista version.

How to use potato milk vs coconut milk

Potato milk:

• Use in mashed potatoes.
• Create dairy-free soups with potato milk as a base.
• Use as a versatile liquid ingredient in baked goods like muffins and cakes.
• Enjoy potato milk-based hot cocoas or lattes.
• Make creamy dips and dressings
• Blend into a morning smoothie for a subtle, comforting flavor.

Fun fact: The thickness and neutral flavor of potato milk make it ideal for both sweet and savory cooking. 

Coconut milk:

• Infuse curries and other sweet and savory recipes with the flavor and texture
• Make a coconut whipped cream to top desserts with.
• Create creamy puddings, yogurt, pudding, and ice cream.
• Add to enhance the body of soups and stews – try out this butternut squash soup recipe!
• Make delicious drinks – like this Tik Tok-inspired coconut cloud smoothie or coconut milk coffee latte.
• Make a sweetened condensed coconut milk.

Can you substitute potato milk for coconut milk?

Potato milk can be swapped for coconut milk in various recipes, and vice versa, though the outcome of your recipe might change in terms of texture and particularly in flavor. Potato milk will bring a milder and earthy tone, while the flavor of coconut milk is a lot more distinct and tropical.

Nutrition: Potato milk vs coconut milk

If we reference DUG brand potato milk, each product contains water, potatoes (4.5%), rapeseed oil, sucrose, and pea protein for an extra nutritional boost. According to some sources, the barista and unsweetened versions have higher fat contents and potato contents, much like whole milk. The original version has a 1.5% fat content and is similar to semi-skimmed milk in texture.

Overall, potato milk has slightly more calories per cup than coconut milk and more total carbs, while coconut milk has a higher saturated fat content but more calcium. Coconut milk is also a milk with one of the lowest protein and lowest sugar contents out there. Where potato milk stands out is that it’s a strong source of vitamin B12, which makes it extra suitable for vegans as they often find it hard to get in their diet. For coconut milk, its special feature is that it is full of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are said to be good for lowering inflammation.

Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.)	Calories	Total fat (sat. fat)	Total carbs	Total sugars (incl. added)	Protein	Calcium	Vit D
Potato milk (~0.8 cup)	62	3 g (0.2 g)	6.2 g	5 g (?)	2.6 g	30% DV	30% DV
Coconut milk	40	4 g (3.5 g)	2 g	<1 g (0 g)	0 g	45% DV	25% DV

? = reliable information not available (e.g., commercial versions not available, incomplete information, etc.)

How to store potato milk and coconut milk

Coconut milk has a very long shelf life – typically lasting up to 2 to 5 years if stored in a cool, dry place in your pantry. After opening, be sure to store in the fridge and consume within 7 to 10 days, but remember that it’s also not unusual for it to last up to 2 weeks. For potato milk, the DUG website says that it can be stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, it’ll last around 5 days in the fridge.

If you’ve made homemade coconut milk, it’ll last around a week in the fridge or even a month when frozen. If you’re making your own potato milk, it’ll only last up to three days. It’s not recommended to freeze potato milk.

Potato milk vs coconut milk: Which is better?

So, after all this analysis, which is better for what use? Potato milk’s creamy subtlety is a better choice for plant-based milk that works effortlessly with lattes, classic baking recipes, and grains – in place of cow milk. Coconut milk, although still a versatile choice, is best for more specific uses such as tropical curries, cocktails, and luxurious desserts. Ultimately, both have a special place in my kitchen!

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