I’m one of those people who consider coconut milk something of a staple. I’ve been known to travel with it for use in hotel/restaurant coffee. Until recently, I had to choose between the brands in BPA-free cans and the ones without problematic additives like guar gum and carrageenan.
Estrogenic activity from BPA has been linked to diabetes, ADHD, endocrine problems, heart disease, infertility and cancer. Guar gum and carrageenan have been associated with a variety of digestive issues, and more than a trace of guar makes my tummy unpleasantly gurgly.
Great news: Natural Value has finally brought to market a canned coconut milk free of all these things, and if you live near Madison you can get it at the Willy Street Co-op! (I may have a had a little tiny bit to do with this.) It’s been available for a while by mail, but I’m happy I can now get it at the grocery store!
Since it’s just organic coconut and water, it’s not as inexplicably smooth as the other canned milks – more like homemade, actually. Delicious coconutty taste, nice fat content, and well worth a little extra stir to avoid those extra chemicals.