I posted a "How Are You Milking It Poll" at the beginning of 2011, and 41% of voters use a non-dairy alternative - including me. Lately, I've been looking out for different coconut "milk" brands - so not surprisingly, I got around to picking up Coconut Dream Unsweetened Original Coconut Drink a few days ago. Oh - and according to the FDA, the term "Milk" is defined as " the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows" - so I'm not correct in calling it coconut "milk" but since it's a white liquid with a similar consistency and intended purpose as "milk" - please forgive my liberties with using the word "milk" during this review.
NUTRITION FACTSServing Size: 1 cup (8 ounces)
Calories: 60
Total Fat: 5 grams, 8%
Saturated Fat: 5 grams, 25%
Sodium: 150 mg, 6%
Carbohydrates: 1 grams
Fiber: 0%
Sugars: < 1 gram
Protein: 0 grams
Now as for the taste & texture, as with Rice Dream Vanilla Rice Drink, this coconut "milk" is very watery - more like skim milk; and the coconut flavor is much milder than in Silk PureCoconut Original CoconutMilk, but that's not necessarily a bad thing - just depends on what your preference. I didn't mind. Of course, this is unsweetened, so although I liked the taste of it by itself, I much preferred using it in smoothies and even with cereal - although it has to be cereal with some sort of sweetness, like Kashi GoLean Crunch Cereal Review for example, but not something bland like Weetabix Organic Crispy Flakes & Fiber Cereal.
Each 1 cup serving of Coconut Dream Original Unsweetened Coconut Drink provides 60 calories from 5 grams of total fat, all of which is saturated (25% of the daily value). There is no fiber, protein or sugars, and 150 mg sodium (6% of the DV). That's 20 calories less than Silk PureCoconut Original CoconutMilk (Review) and So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage (Review), both of which have 6 grams of sugars.
The ingredients are filtered water, coconut cream, tricalcium phosphate, carageenan, gellan gum, sea salt, natural flavors, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalomine). The added vitamins & minerals provide 30% of the daily value for calcium, 25% of the DV for vitamin B12 & D, and 10% for vitamin A.
Funnily enough, although this is "enriched" with added vitamins, this has "All Natural" on the label. Nothing wrong with that according to the law of the land, but personally, I think "Natural" should mean not enhanced in any way. I bought a 32 ounce container for $1.99 at my local supermarket, and if it were a choice between this and Silk PureCoconut, it would come down to which is cheaper because I like both. BUT, since Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk (Review) has less saturated fat - that's still my go-to non-dairy :milk".
{Website: Coconut Dream}
