Coconut milk noun

The pressed liquid of grated mature coconut, the body of every coconut curry and tom kha.

Sweet, nutty and rich, with a clean fat that carries chilli and aromatics.

Crack the thick cream in a hot pan until the oil separates, fry the curry paste in it, then add the thinner milk. Do not boil hard once combined or it will split. Choose milk without stabilisers for the best curry.

Fresh coconut milk is pressed daily in Thai markets; the first press gives the cream (hua kati), the second the milk (hang kati). Good canned or carton milk replicates this by separating on standing.