How to store coconut milk so it stays fresh, odor-free, and lasts for months

foto: Facebook/Annisah Aynun Najid

Fresh coconut milk has a weakness: it goes bad easily if not stored properly.

Brilio.net - Coconut milk is an important ingredient in various Indonesian dishes. Its savory taste makes it often used in various dishes, such as opor, rendang, and sayur lodeh. Unfortunately, fresh coconut milk has a weakness: it goes bad easily if not stored properly. If left at room temperature for too long, coconut milk can turn sour and smell bad in a short time. Therefore, it is important to know how to store coconut milk so that it stays fresh and lasts a long time.

One method that has proven effective is storing coconut milk in the freezer. This method not only maintains its quality but also makes the coconut milk last longer without reducing its taste and texture. So, how do you store coconut milk properly so that it lasts? Check out the following steps.

Quoted from BrilioFood from the Facebook account Annisah Aynun Najid, the right way to store coconut milk so that it lasts is to freeze it. Here are the steps:

1. Wash the coconut until clean

How to store coconut milk to keep it fresh
photo: Facebook/Annisah Aynun Najid

Use a coconut that has been peeled and cleaned until the skin is gone. This process is important to ensure the coconut milk is free from impurities.

2. Cut the coconut into small pieces

The clean coconut is then cut into pieces to make it easier to blend.

3. Blend with warm water

How to store coconut milk to keep it fresh
photo: Facebook/Annisah Aynun Najid

Put the coconut in a blender and add enough warm water. This process will help extract more juice from the coconut.

4. Squeeze the blended mixture

How to store coconut milk to keep it fresh
photo: Facebook/Annisah Aynun Najid

Use a strainer or coconut milk strainer to separate the coconut milk liquid from the dregs.

5. Pour the coconut milk into the ice cube mold.

How to store coconut milk to keep it fresh
photo: Facebook/Annisah Aynun Najid

Use ice cube trays to make it easier to take small portions of coconut milk when you want to use it.

6. Store in the freezer

How to store coconut milk to keep it fresh
photo: Facebook/Annisah Aynun Najid

Put the coconut milk mold in the freezer until frozen. Once frozen, transfer the coconut milk into a container or ziplock plastic to save space and avoid contamination from odors from other foods.

With this method, coconut milk can last up to 3 months in the freezer. If you want to use it, just take a few cubes of frozen coconut milk as needed and let it thaw naturally before cooking.

Apart from storing it in the freezer, there are several other ways to make coconut milk last longer, although not as long as the freezing method:

- Store in the refrigerator

If you only want to store coconut milk for 1-2 days, put it in a tightly closed container and store it in the refrigerator. Make sure to always close the container tightly so that the coconut milk does not absorb the aroma of other foods.

- Boil coconut milk before storing.

Boiling coconut milk before storing it can help slow down the spoilage process. Once cool, the coconut milk can be put in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator.

- Use natural preservatives

Some people add a little salt or pandan leaves when boiling coconut milk to help extend its shelf life.

Storing coconut milk in the right way will make it last longer and stay fresh when used. The freezing method with ice cube trays is the best way because it can make coconut milk last up to 3 months without reducing its quality. In addition, the method of storing in the refrigerator or boiling coconut milk before storing can also be an alternative if you only want to extend its shelf life in the short term. This way, you can always have a stock of fresh coconut milk whenever needed.

(brl/tin)