Coconut milk with nata de coco is a chilled Southeast Asian dessert of sweetened coconut milk and chewy coconut-gel cubes. You need only 3 ingredients – about 3 cups coconut milk, 1 cup nata de coco and ¼–½ cup sugar – and 15 minutes of cooking plus 2 hours of chilling. It is creamy and rich, so serve it in small portions.
What is nata de coco?
Nata de coco is a translucent, chewy gel made by fermenting coconut water with bacteria that produce cellulose. It was developed in the Philippines in 1949; the name is Spanish for “cream of coconut”. It is a common topping in Filipino halo-halo, Vietnamese chè, bubble tea and bottled fruit drinks.
How do you make coconut milk with nata de coco?
Ingredients (4 servings)
- 3 cups (about 700 ml) coconut milk, fresh or canned
- 1 cup nata de coco cubes, drained and rinsed
- ¼–½ cup sugar, to taste
- A pinch of salt; optional pandan leaf
Method
- Warm the coconut milk over medium-low heat, stirring so it does not split.
- Add sugar, salt and pandan; stir until dissolved. Do not boil hard.
- Simmer gently for 5–10 minutes.
- Add the nata de coco and heat for 2–3 minutes.
- Cool, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Serve cold, with crushed ice or fruit if you like.
Want to make the nata de coco itself? See our nata de coco recipe.
Is coconut milk with nata de coco healthy?
It is a treat rather than a health food:
- Nata de coco is low in calories and fat and provides dietary fibre.
- Coconut milk is rich: full-fat coconut milk has roughly 200 kcal and 20 g fat per 100 ml, mostly saturated fat.
- Sugar adds more calories, so adjust to taste.
For a lighter version, use light coconut milk, cut the sugar, or mix half coconut milk with half coconut water. The dessert is naturally dairy-free and vegan.
How does it compare with other desserts?
| Dessert | Main base | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk with nata de coco | Coconut milk | Creamy with chewy cubes |
| Buko pandan | Young coconut, pandan jelly, cream | Soft, creamy |
| Halo-halo | Shaved ice, milk, mixed toppings | Icy, mixed |
| Chè (Vietnamese sweet soup) | Beans, jelly, coconut milk | Varied |
Ways to use nata de coco
- Topping for shaved ice, fruit salad or yoghurt.
- Add to iced tea, milk tea or smoothies.
- Mix into fruit juice for texture.
Prefer it ready to drink? Try juice drinks with nata de coco such as guava juice with nata de coco, the coconut milk drink with nata de coco, or browse the topping series.
Frequently asked questions
What does nata de coco taste like?
Almost nothing on its own – it is mildly sweet and takes on the flavour of the syrup or milk around it. Its appeal is the chewy, jelly-like texture.
Can I use canned coconut milk?
Yes. Canned coconut milk works well; shake the can first and dilute with a little water if it is very thick.
How long does it keep?
Up to 2–3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Is nata de coco vegan?
Yes. It is made from coconut water by fermentation and contains no animal products.
