Tiger Nut Milk vs Coconut Milk: Which is Better?

Tiger nut milk, although it has a really cool animal-based name, is actually a plant-based milk that could be the fun dairy-alternative you need! It has a great flavor to it, and is awesome for people who have allergies!

Now, we’re going to compare that against the super popular coconut milk – this powerhouse of a milk is known and loved all over, providing a tropical flavor with some solid health benefits!

We’ll discuss everything we need to about these two to ultimately see which one is the better choice, exploring everything from textures to nutritional profiles.

Let’s jump in!

Comparing tiger nut milk vs coconut milk 

Tiger nut milk and coconut milk are both plant-based, but coconut milk is the only one with an allergen – coconut is technically considered a tree nut, but many people with tree nut allergies can still consume coconut products, so talk to your physician to be safe!

Both milks are great for vegan diets, with both being suitable for paleo as long as the tiger nut milk is homemade with diet-compatible ingredients. Otherwise, tiger nut milk isn’t keto-friendly, whereas coconut milk is good for all 3 of these special diets!

	Tiger nut milk	Coconut milk
Type	Plant-based	Plant-based (nut milk)
Allergens	None	Tree nuts*
Vegan?	Yes	Yes
Paleo?	Likely if homemade with diet-compatible ingredients	Yes
Keto?	No	Yes

*Most people with tree nut allergies can consume coconut products, so talk to your physician!

Differences between tiger nut milk and coconut milk

The main difference between tiger nut milk and coconut milk are their flavor profiles.

Tiger nut milk boasts a nutty and slightly earthy flavor profile, and is a great option over coconut milk if you’re allergic to coconut. It’s made by soaking tiger nuts, which are little tubers from a plant known as the yellow nutsedge, and then blending them together with water. In fact, it’s easy to make tiger nut milk at home!

On the other hand, coconut milk comes in two types: carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk.

Carton coconut milk is likely the stuff you know, as it’s the type that you drink. It’s made by blending thick coconut milk or coconut cream with water, and boasts a tropical coconut flavor. If you use coconut cream, be aware that it’s even fattier than canned coconut milk!

Canned coconut milk is mostly solid at room temperature, being much fattier than carton coconut milk. It’s not used for drinking, but is great for making many coconut-based recipes! This one is made by heating up high-fat coconut pulp in hot water, and then extracting the liquid from the solid pulp. Just like tiger nut milk, you can make coconut milk at home quite easily!

How to use tiger nut milk vs coconut milk 

Tiger nut milk and coconut milk can be used in many different ways, including: 

Tiger nut milk:

• Use as a dairy-free alternative.
• Add it to your coffee and tea.
• Pour it over your cereal.
• Mix it into your oatmeal and smoothies.
• Make vegan sauces or soups with it.
• Use as an allergy-free milk.

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.
• Make coconut yogurt.

Can you substitute tiger nut milk for coconut milk?

In almost all cases, you can substitute these two out for one another! They both have different flavor profiles, however, so keep that in mind as you’re experimenting. Remember that they have differing allergens and special diet suitability – other than that, go nuts!

Nutrition: Tiger nut milk vs coconut milk

Tiger nut milk and coconut milk are both low in calories and boast some healthy fats. They’re both fairly low in carbs, with coconut milk being lower, and have a tiny amount of sugar! 

Some studies claim that tiger nut milk is one of the best non-dairy options when it comes to phosphorus, protein, and oleic acid contents! However, we don’t have clear numbers on its saturated fat content, calcium, or vitamin D. Coconut milk, on the other hand, has a great calcium and vitamin D content, so it’s a great choice if you want something like that!

Both milks are very poor in protein.

Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.)	Tiger nut milk	Coconut milk
Calories	60	40
Total fat (saturated)	3 g (? g)	4 g (3.5 g)
Total carbs	4 g	2 g
Total sugars (incl. added)	1 g (0 g)	<1 g (0 g)
Protein	2 g	0 g
Calcium	?	45% DV
Vit D	?	20% DV

How to store tiger nut milk and coconut milk

Store tiger nut milk in the fridge, in an airtight container. Tiger nut milk generally lasts only a few days, and tends to spoil quickly – use it fast!

Transfer canned coconut milk to an airtight container and the fridge after you open it, where it can hold up for up to 7 days. You can also freeze your coconut milk if you want to keep it even longer – this will make it last up to a month!

Carton coconut milk should be stored in the fridge, where it’ll last up to 5-7 days once opened. However, that can vary depending on the type you buy – full-fat coconut milk lasts longer than low-fat coconut milk, for example, so follow any specific storage instructions on the carton.

Tiger nut milk vs coconut milk: Which is better?

Tiger nut milk is a great choice if you have allergies or want to try something very unique, and it also boasts some great nutritional qualities. The great flavor and creamy texture are wonderful, and it’s not difficult to make at home if you’re having trouble finding it at the store!

Coconut milk is also great, having been a popular dairy-alternative for quite some time now. It also boasts a creamy texture, but has a coconuty flavor that gives it a tropical vibe! Plus, there are a ton of coconut milks to choose from. 

Tiger nut milk is something you should definitely try, as it’s allergen-free and has some awesome nutritional properties. However, the overall win goes to coconut milk for having more special diet versatility, a powerful flavor, and much more accessibility and ease of finding in the store!

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