The global thirst for authentic, tropical-inspired beverages is unquenchable. From the bustling street stalls of Southeast Asia to chic urban cafes, the demand for pure, rich coconut flavor in a convenient, shelf-stable format is driving innovation. However, capturing the essence of fresh coconut—its creamy body, natural sweetness, and delicate aroma—in a product that can withstand months of ambient storage is a significant technical feat.
Neofoods rises to this challenge with our Mellow Coconut Milk, a 3x concentrated masterpiece designed specifically as the ultimate base for premium drinks like raw coconut lattes, smoothies, and dairy-free alternatives. Meeting rigorous UHT sterilization and aseptic cold-filling standards, this system delivers an unparalleled 6–9 month room-temperature shelf life without compromising the sensory experience. This breakthrough is built upon a triad of meticulously sourced and engineered core ingredients.
Precision in Process: From Source to Shelf-Stable Brilliance
Our seven-step manufacturing protocol is a model of efficiency and control, ensuring every batch meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
1. Precision Weighing & Preparation
The process begins with the exact measurement of all functional and flavor components, guaranteeing formula integrity from the outset.
2. High-Shear Hydration & Stabilization
A dry blend of sugar, sodium caseinate, and the proprietary Stabilizer Blend is dispersed into 75°C water under high-shear mixing for 10 minutes. This creates a perfectly hydrated, uniform functional base that will ensure emulsion stability and mouthfeel.
3. & 4. Controlled Fat Integration & Homogenization
●Coconut Cream is gently heated to 65–70°C to ensure fluidity.
●The warm cream, along with Concentrated Coconut Water, sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, and salt, is incorporated into the stabilizer base under high-shear mixing. The mixture is then adjusted to exact volume specifications.
●The entire liquid is heated to 65–70°C and subjected to a two-stage homogenization process: first at 50 bar to break down fat globules, then at a high 350 bar to create a micro-fine, permanently stable emulsion that prevents separation throughout shelf life.
5. Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) Sterilization
●The homogenized product undergoes UHT treatment at 138°C for 10 seconds. This intense, brief thermal process achieves commercial sterility—destroying all pathogens and spoilage microorganisms—while minimizing cooked flavors and preserving the fresh coconut notes.
6. Aseptic Cooling & Filling
●The product is instantly cooled to 20–25°C in a sterile environment and aseptically filled into pre-sterilized packaging. This cold-fill technique is crucial for preserving heat-sensitive flavors and vitamins.
The Neofoods Ingredient Trinity: Foundation of Quality
The exceptional performance of our Mellow Coconut Milk is inseparable from the three premium ingredients at its core.
1. Premium Coconut Cream: The Soul of Richness
●Source & Specification: Sourced from select plantations in Southeast Asia and Hainan, China, our cream is standardized to a consistent 30% ± 2% fat content.
●Contribution: This high-fat, non-hydrogenated cream is responsible for the luxurious, creamy mouthfeel, rich body, and the authentic, indulgent coconut flavor that defines a premium beverage base. Our direct sourcing guarantees a long-term, stable supply of uniform quality.
2. Concentrated Coconut Water (15x): The Essence of Authenticity
●Process: Produced via low-temperature concentration technology that gently removes water while protecting heat-sensitive nutrients, electrolytes (like potassium and magnesium), and the delicate, nutty-sweet flavor profile of fresh coconut water.
●Contribution: It delivers the true, refreshing taste of coconut, balancing the richness of the cream with natural sweetness and a clean finish. This allows for superior taste without over-reliance on added sugars, achieving the perfect taste-quality balance.
3. Advanced Stabilizer Blend: The Guardian of Stability
●Composition: A synergistic, custom-engineered mix of mono- and di-glycerol fatty acid esters, microcrystalline cellulose, sucrose fatty acid esters, sodium stearyl lactylate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
●Contribution: This blend is the unsung hero of the system. It:
Prevents Emulsion Breakdown: Ensures the water and fat phases remain perfectly united, eliminating oil separation or sedimentation for the entire 6–9 month shelf life.
Controls Mouthfeel & Viscosity: Delivers a smooth, creamy texture that is neither too thin nor too gelatinous.
Simplifies Production: As a pre-optimized composite, it eliminates the costly and time-consuming R&D trial-and-error of balancing multiple single additives, providing a turnkey solution for flawless stability.
| Ingredients | Addition Amount |
| Coconut cream | 21.00% |
| Sugar | 2.80% |
| Frozen concentrate coconut water | 2.90% |
| Sodium caseinate | 0.75% |
| Stablizer blends | 0.50% |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 0.10% |
| Salt | 0.12% |
| Potassium chloride | 0.05% |
| Sodium Tripolyphosphate | 0.02% |
| Sodium Hexametaphosphate | 0.04% |
| Water | 71.74% |
Strategic Benefits for Beverage Manufacturers
●Unmatched Shelf Stability: The 6–9 month ambient shelf life revolutionizes logistics, eliminates cold chain costs for the base product, and provides tremendous flexibility in distribution and inventory management.
●Consistent Quality & Performance: Every batch delivers the same viscosity, flavor, and stability, ensuring brand consistency and reliable performance in end beverages.
●Clean-Label & Premium Positioning: Based on recognizable coconut ingredients and functional stabilizers, supporting a clean and premium product story.
●Rapid Time-to-Market: The pre-optimized ingredient system and defined process significantly reduce development cycles, allowing brands to launch innovative coconut-based beverages faster.
Unlock the potential of the booming coconut beverage category with a base you can trust. Neofoods provides the complete ingredient system and technical expertise to bring your vision to life.
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