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I like using coconut milk in my coffee. However, during summer, I like putting ice in my coffee. Some part of the coconut milk clumps up around the ice. This is organic unsweetened, so only coconut and a gum. Is there any method to prevent the clumps yet have it cold? Store in fridge, freezer, blend, add some additional stabilizing ingredient?

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    Do you put in coconut milk then ice, or ice then coconut milk?
    – Erica
    Jul 31, 2018 at 23:56
  • coconut milk, then the ice.
    – paulj
    Aug 1, 2018 at 13:56
  • Do you fully incorporate and mix the milk before adding the ice?
    – Jade So
    Aug 1, 2018 at 21:08

3 Answers 3

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This is a common problem with coconut milk in cooler drinks, most commonly coffee. Coconut milk is approximately 25% fats (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_milk) which will coagulate in cooler temperatures or exposed to ice. You're essentially cooling the coconut milk fats with ice past their solidification state which is causing the lumps.

You can try using coconut creamers that are specifically designed for coffee since in my experience they do not clump with iced coffee. Or, there are other milks like almond that don't have as much fat content to solidify in cooler temperatures.

Another note, a lot of people seem to have this problem with iced coffee and coconut milk on forums and seem to swear by using a blender to blend the chunks away. Supposedly, this will keep the chunks from returning.

Example of others with the same issue: https://forum.whole30.com/topic/36315-lumpy-coffee-with-coconut-milk/

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  • emulsification, bingo
    – paulj
    Aug 3, 2018 at 17:50
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Ive done it with butter and it must be whisked very well before cooling.

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  • Hi Eileen, we like answers with more detail, which helps provide insight into the solution of the problem. Can you be more specific? How much butter? Just brewed coffee? How was it cooled? What was the appearance and texture of the cooled product? Why do you think coconut milk would be similar?
    – moscafj
    Aug 8, 2018 at 14:00
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A pinch of cornstarch will stop the protein from changing shape, leading to the curdled bits near the ice.

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    Thank you for your contribution! What makes you think it's the protein that curdles, rather than the fat (as the accepted answer suggests)?
    – LSchoon
    Aug 12, 2020 at 10:10
  • And how would the reader use the corn starch?
    – Stephie ♦
    Aug 12, 2020 at 13:50

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