How To Choose Between Cashew Milk & Coconut Milk?

Cashew milk Versus Coconut milk is another dilemma highlighting recent vs traditional. While cashew milk is a new trendy alt milk, coconut milk has been used in Southeast Asia for ages.

As a passionate nutritionist and an avid lover of plant milks, I bring you all the essential facts about the two milks. Knowing these will make help you answer questions like, is cashew or coconut milk better.

Cashew Milk Versus Coconut Milk: The Better Dairy Free Option

Let’s delve straight into cashew milk vs coconut milk nutrition facts and benefits –  

*Source: USDA; Quantity defined is 1 cup

Differences in Ingredients & Process to Make Cashew & Coconut Milk

To prepare cashew milk you will need soaked cashew and water. Soaking the cashew for at least 4 to 5 hours will make the blending process easy. 

For making Coconut milk at home, grate the pulp of a mature coconut and ground it well with water. Strain to get a thick coconut milk. You can repeat this process by adding water to get a thinner version of coconut milk. 

Cashew Milk Versus Coconut Milk – Taste and Textural Variations 

Cashew milk and coconut milk both taste sweet but coconut milk is comparatively sweeter. Cashew milk has an nutty flavour, whereas Coconut milk is nutty and rich. Both the milks are creamy and smooth in texture.

Coconut milk has a thicker consistency than cashew milk, especially in the first batch. 

In case you are wondering which one’s better – cashew milk versus coconut milk icecream, then I would definitely say both are pretty good because of the rich flavours.

How Much Cashew Milk Vs Coconut Milk Is Recommended Per Day?

For both these farm alternatives, it is suggested to consume 1 cup per day. Even though both are full of many nutrients, one must limit the intake within the recommended quantity. 

1 cup is enough to get all these nutrients without any negative impact on the body. Initially, if it is difficult to consume this milk directly, you can add them to your curries or smoothies. 

How Do Coconut Milk & Cashew Milk Fare Against Popular Plant Milks

| Coconut Milk vs Almond Milk |
| Cashew Milk vs Oat Milk |

Is Cashew Milk Better than Coconut Milk in Terms of Calories?

As we can observe in the table above, Coconut milk is much higher in calories than Cashew milk. This makes Coconut milk the least favorite milk of calorie conscious people. 

I will suggest here, that you either dilute coconut milk by adding more water or reduce the intake to your desired calorie level. By doing this you can have the benefits of Coconut milk within the calorie limitations. 

Cashew Milk or Coconut Milk: Which Milk Contains More Fat?

Compared to Cashew Milk, Coconut milk is packed with more fats. This high-fat content gives it richness and enhances its flavour.

According to a study, limited intake of the fat content in Coconut milk is not harmful for you, in fact, it reduces the bad fat in the body.  However, if you are conscious about fat intake then cashew milk is definitely a better option than Coconut milk.

Comparing the Protein Between Cashew Milk and Coconut Milk

Coconut milk and Cashew milk both are not great sources of protein. However, when compared to Cashew milk, Coconut milk has more protein. 

Since both these milks do not provide enough protein, it is highly recommended to add other protein sources to diet. Do not  rely on these milks alone to fulfil your daily protein requirements.

Which One Has More Calcium: Cashew Milk or Coconut Milk?

After protein, calcium is another important aspect which makes most of the plant based milk less competitive to dairy products.

DIY versions of Coconut milk and Cashew milk have very less calcium but commercial versions are fortified with calcium. 

Packed versions are recommended to get enough calcium, but make sure that you buy the unsweetened variety. To enhance the flavour you can later add a natural sweetener such as honey, dates or maple syrup. 

Know the Best Time to Consume Cashew Milk Vs Coconut Milk

Mornings are the best time to add these dairy substitutes to your routine. Coconut milk is a high-calorie milk which will keep you full for a longer time. 

On the other hand, Cashew milk will give you a  lighter start to the day. Both the milks go very well with smoothies and cereal. You can also easily replace these with dairy fat in your curries for breakfast or lunch. 

Is Cashew or Coconut Milk Better for the Environment?

Plant-based milk is 3 times less carbon emission-intensive than dairy milk. These milks, whether they come from nuts, legumes or seeds, need less water and land space too. This makes dairy alternatives a more eco-friendly choice. 

Coconut uses less water to grow in comparison to other nut milks. Cashew plants although need more water, use very less land space.

Therefore, both the milks have their own specific environmental benefits but overall coconut milk is more environmentally friendly. 

Can You Consider Cashew Milk and Coconut Milk as Vegan Food?

Cashew Milk and Coconut milk both are nut milks and don’t come from animals. That’s the reason that you can add these milks to your vegan diet without any doubt. 

Coconut milk and Cashew milk both can be added to the keto diet as well. Keto is a diet in which you are allowed to have high fat and low carbs food.  

Do Cashew Milk and Coconut Milk Affect Your Teeth Differently?

The store-bought Cashew milk and Coconut milk are fortified with calcium, which is an essential nutrient for strong and happy teeth. 

For centuries coconut has been considered helpful in maintaining oral hygiene. Coconut milk has all the properties of coconut and is equally good for your teeth.

Cashew milk has potassium and Vitamin E, which help to prevent gum disease.  

Which is Better Cashew Milk or Coconut Milk for Tummy Health?

Compared to Dairy milk, all nut milks are stomach-friendly. But Coconut milk has higher calories and fat and overconsumption of it can lead to stomach aches, nausea and diarrhoea. So, be mindful about the quantity to consume. 

Cashew milk is lighter on the stomach compared to Coconut milk but if you have a nut allergy then it can also disturb your stomach. 

Cashew Milk vs Coconut Milk – Which One Is Helpful to Cool Down?

A good amount of water is used while preparing Cashew milk and Coconut milk which aids in bodily cooling.

Both cashew milk and coconut milk are helpful beverages during hot days. You can add a few fruits to these milks to keep yourself energized for longer. 

Compare the Hydration Level of Cashew Milk and Coconut Milk?

Cashew milk is a good source of potassium, whereas Coconut milk supplies magnesium. Both Potassium and Magnesium are kind of electrolytes, which help to maintain the balance of water in the body. 

It is important to drink electrolyte-rich drinks in the summers as the body loses a lot of water during this season. Both Cashew milk and Coconut milk are useful to keep you hydrated. 

Various Ways to Make Cashew Milk and Coconut Milk More Nutritious

There are many ways to add a little extra nutrition to Cashew milk and Coconut milk. For Coconut milk, tropical fruits such as mangoes, pineapples etc. are my favorite. The sweetness of this milk and the slight sourness of these fruits compliment each other well.

For cashew Milk adding honey milk or maple syrup is a good idea. You can also add cinnamon or cardamom to give a smooth aroma. 

I hope that this blog will be able to give you an in-depth insight into Cashew milk versus Coconut milk nutrition. This detailed information will be handy for you all to clear your doubts about coconut milk and cashew milk. 

Do share with me your choice. Thanks for stopping by.