How to Use a Mixer Grinder for Making Coconut Milk at Home — Quick & Mess-Free

Fresh coconut milk has a richness and natural sweetness that canned coconut milk cannot replicate. In Indian coastal cooking — from Kerala fish curry to Goan xacuti, Tamil Nadu payasam, and Maharashtra sol kadhi — fresh coconut milk is the authentic ingredient that gives these dishes their character.

Making fresh coconut milk at home requires only a mixer grinder, hot water, and fresh coconut. The entire process takes 10 minutes and gives you two grades of coconut milk: thick first press (cream) and thin second press, each used differently in Indian recipes.

What You Need

• 1 fresh coconut — cracked, brown skin removed, white flesh grated (or use the liquidiser to process small chunks)

• Warm water — not boiling, approximately 60-70°C

• Mixer grinder with a liquidising jar (large jar, not chutney jar)

• Fine muslin cloth or a nut milk bag for straining

• Large bowl for collecting the milk

How to Make Coconut Milk — Step by Step

Step 1 — Prepare the Coconut

Crack the coconut and remove the white flesh. The brown skin (testa) is optional to remove — it gives coconut milk a slightly darker colour and earthier flavour if left on. For pure white coconut milk, peel the testa with a vegetable peeler. Grate or chop the coconut flesh into rough pieces approximately 2-3cm.

Step 2 — First Press (Thick Coconut Milk / Coconut Cream)

Place the grated or chopped coconut into the large liquidising jar of the mixer grinder. Add half a cup of warm water (60-70°C — warm water extracts oils better than cold water). Blend at high speed for 60-90 seconds. The mixture will become a smooth, thick, white paste.

Pour through a fine muslin cloth stretched over a bowl. Squeeze the cloth firmly to extract as much liquid as possible. The liquid collected is first press coconut milk — thick, creamy, and richest in coconut fat. This is what payasam recipes call for and what goes into the finishing of Kerala fish curry. 

Step 3 — Second Press (Thin Coconut Milk)

Return the squeezed coconut pulp to the mixer jar. Add 1 cup of warm water. Blend again for 60 seconds. Strain through the muslin cloth again, squeezing firmly. The liquid collected is second press coconut milk — thinner, less fatty, but still richly flavoured. This is what goes into the main body of curries and gravies as the cooking liquid.

Homemade vs Canned Coconut Milk — Why It Matters

Best Mixer Grinders for Coconut Milk

The Galaxy 750W copper motor is the best mixer for coconut milk making. The 100% copper motor maintains full torque during the 60-90 second blend needed for coconut — standard motors can slow down under the resistance of coconut flesh and warm water. The large liquidising jar handles the full coconut yield in one batch.

Related Guides

→ How to Grind Wet Coconut Chutney in a Mixer Grinder

→ Mixer Grinder Wattage Guide — 500W vs 750W vs 1000W

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coconut milk does one coconut give?

One medium coconut (approximately 200-250g white flesh) gives: 150-200ml of thick first press coconut milk and 250-300ml of thin second press milk. The exact yield depends on coconut freshness, water temperature, and how firmly the cloth is squeezed.

Can I make coconut milk with desiccated coconut?

Yes — use 1 cup desiccated coconut soaked in 1.5 cups warm water for 15 minutes. Blend and strain. The result is slightly less rich than fresh coconut milk but works well for cooking. Do not use sweetened desiccated coconut.

How long does fresh coconut milk last?

In the refrigerator: 2-3 days in an airtight container. The fat and water separate on refrigeration — stir before use. For longer storage: freeze in ice cube trays and use within 1 month. Fresh coconut milk should not be stored at room temperature — it ferments quickly.

Why does my homemade coconut milk taste bitter?

Overblending or using very old coconut. Blend for 60-90 seconds maximum — extended blending generates heat that can turn the natural oils bitter. Also use coconuts that are fresh and firm inside. Coconuts with a very watery interior (over-ripe) give less milk and sometimes bitter milk.

Conclusion

Fresh coconut milk at home is a 10-minute process that gives significantly better flavour than canned options. First press for finishing and payasam, second press for cooking. The Galaxy 750W copper motor mixer handles the sustained blending load reliably for daily coconut milk making.

Shop Wonderchef Mixer Grinders
Galaxy 750W Copper | Acura Plus 750W — for coconut milk and all wet grinding.