Coconut water, in Hawaiian parlance, is “dew from the heavens.” The juice is the watery liquid of mature coconuts, which are usually 57 months old.
This remarkable combination, which has a somewhat sweet and nutty taste, may be drunk on its own, mixed into beverages, or used in baking.
Don’t worry if you forgot to put coconut water on your shopping list; your dish will still come out beautifully.
You may use watermelon water, maple water, birch water, coconut milk, and aloe vera juice for coconut water. Let’s find out more about each of them.
Contents
Coconut Water Substitutes: Nutritional Value & Cooking Ratio
100g of | Calories | Fat | Carb | Protein | Fiber | Ratio |
Watermelon Water | 34 | 0g | 8.5g | 0g | 0g | 1:1 |
Maple Water | 20 | 0g | 5g | 0g | 0.3g | 1:1 |
Birch Water | 15 | 0g | 3.6g | 0g | 0g | 1:1 |
Coconut Milk | 31 | 2.1g | 2.9g | 0.2g | 0g | 1:1 |
Aloe Vera Juice | 15 | 0g | 3.8g | 0g | 0g | 1:1 |
What Does Coconut Water Taste Like?
Coconut water lacks the rich taste of coconut flesh and the sweet vanilla flavor of baked items that employ coconut flavoring.
Instead, coconut water has a distinct vegetal taste that is similar to aloe. Although not too sweet, it has a very faint, almost imperceptible coconut aftertaste with earthy smells.
Coconut water does not seem the same as coconut milk. It’s not creamy white like coconut milk, nor is it completely transparent like water; it’s somewhere in the center.
Because retail bottled coconut water contains chemicals, preservatives, and flavors to guarantee shelf stability, the sweetness will vary across brands. Nonetheless, the nutty flavor remains in all of them.
Coconut Water Nutritional Value
100g of coconut water contains:
- 19 calories
- 0.2g fat
- 3.71g carbs
- 1.1g fiber
- 0.72g protein
Coconut Water Substitutes
- Watermelon Water
- Maple Water
- Birch Water
- Coconut Milk
- Aloe Vera Juice
Watermelon Water
If you can’t get coconut water, use watermelon water for a delightful and healthful substitute.
Watermelon water may be used in place of coconut water in recipes, but it can also be consumed on its own. However, keep in mind that watermelon water has a pink colour and may modify the color of your beverage if you mix it in. However, if you use it as an ingredient in a recipe, it will not.
It’s also worth mentioning that watermelon water may be sweeter than coconut water, so you may want to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe.
Maple Water
Maple water is one of the best alternatives to coconut water because of its flavor and accessibility. They are so identical that they are often spotted in supermarkets next to one other.
The maple tree, as the name implies, is the source of maple water. It has a sweeter flavor than coconut water but the same nuttiness.
While maple water may be consumed on its own, it is finest in sweet soups, smoothies, and beverages. It has a moderate taste that will not overpower other components in your cuisine.
Birch Water
Birch water, derived from the Betula genus of trees, is another natural option.
Birch water has a subtle nectary taste to it. Although it lacks the robust flavor of coconut water, it tastes well in recipes that call for coconut water.
Birch water is extremely pleasant on its own and has a lot of health advantages if consumed frequently. You may serve birch water chilled, with a squeeze of lemon and a mint leaf on top.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is the most similar replacement to coconut water. It does, however, have a stronger taste, so bear that in mind while modifying your recipes.
Furthermore, foods or baked products cooked with coconut milk will be thicker in consistency.
If the heavier consistency does not work in your recipes, dilute it. To get the same consistency as coconut water, combine two parts water and one part coconut milk.
Furthermore, the additional water will assist to reduce the taste to a more manageable level.
Aloe Vera Juice
Another option to coconut water is aloe vera water (or juice). It has a zesty flavor and a somewhat bitter aftertaste.
Natural aloe vera juice is low in fat and high in vitamins. So, although aloe vera water does not taste like coconut water, the research reveals that it is more nutrient-dense.
To compensate for the sharp and lemony aftertaste, blend aloe vera juice with sweeter drinks. If you don’t mind the flavor, you can drink it straight. Some people like using it in dips, salads, soups, and desserts.
Popular Recipes That Call for Coconut Water
Coconut water is a fantastic addition to culinary delights. The nutty and slightly sweet flavor complements a wide range of meals, so here are three recipes to get you started.
Coconut Chia Pudding
Coconut chia pudding is the perfect combination of hearty and tasty. It’s easy to create and only requires a few basic ingredients: chia seeds, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, coconut water, blueberries, and raspberries.
If you ask us, it’s the greatest snack to take after a heavy meal or while on the go.
Coconut Coffee
While we all like our favorite hot or cold brew coffees, there’s no harm in experimenting with other additions. Coconut water is one such component.
When you combine coconut water with coffee, you get a somewhat sweet and nutty caffeinated mixture. If you prefer the flavor of coconuts and drink your coffee with milk, we recommend adding coconut milk as well.
Coconut Chicken Soup
When preparing chicken soup, coconut water may not be your first pick, but it makes sense since it’s light, refreshing, and has a hint of natural sweetness.
Coconut water is well-known for its rehydrating, anti-aging, skin-improving, and immune-boosting effects.
It’s the ideal option for a tasty and soothing supper when you’re unwell or on a cold day. It takes about an hour to cook and goes well with fried rice or tortillas.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of our examination of the best coconut water substitutes.
Watermelon and maple water offer extra sweetness, birch has a nectary flavor, and aloe vera is moderately bitter and lemony. Coconut milk is a creamier relative to coconut water, but it also works well when diluted.
When making a decision, we recommend that you trust your culinary instincts. Take note of the other ingredients in your recipe and ensure that everything fits and combines well!