Learn how to make Latik and make your native Filipino delicacies, like maja blanca, biko, sapin-sapin, suman and many others just a little more special!
What is Latik?
Latik is the solids that form from the curd of coconut milk and/or cream when simmered for some time.
It is used as garnishing to a lot of Filipino delicacies like Tibok-tibok or maja blanca, suman, kalamay biko, ube halaya and a lot more.
It balances out the sweetness of these treats and gives them an extra texture and coconutty flavor.
How to make latik?
You have two options. Either to use freshly grated coconut to extract the coconut milk or you can also use the canned coconut milk or cream.
If using the canned version, I would recommend using coconut cream as it has more solids, thus, yields more Latik than coconut milk. It also needs less time to cook as it is thicker already.
The process is rather straightforward, just bring the coconut milk or cream to a simmer over medium heat until it separates into coconut oil and curd, from this point, lower the heat to low and continue to cook just until light brown while stirring regularly to make sure that the curd browns evenly.
Note that it will go on cooking and browning while the oil is still hot even after removing the pan from the heat. So if you want a softer, chunkier Latik, remove it earlier and let it go on cooking from the residual heat.
But if you prefer a little crunch, toast it a bit more for a few seconds. But not so much longer as it can easily get burnt from this point
Once the coconut milk or cream is reduced, not much is really left. This recipe makes about a half cup of Latik and maybe a bit more if using coconut cream. But that is fine, as this is usually enough for most of our kakanin recipes here. Really, even just a bit of this stuff goes a long way.
How to make coconut milk?
If you have access to fresh mature coconuts (niyog) and would rather make the coconut milk yourself, here are some tips and the steps to do so.
Why mature coconuts? Simply because they have thicker and firmer meat than the young coconuts. They are mainly used for extracting coconut milk or making coconut oil while young coconuts are for making juices and other desserts because of their softer, sweeter meat.
If unopened or still a whole shell, the coconut can last for months at room temperature.
If already cracked, place the pieces of meat (unshredded) in an airtight container and refrigerate. It can last for 3-4 days.
But I would highly recommend using grated coconut meat as soon as possible as it can turn rancid pretty fast, within the day.
Soak the grated coconut meat in warm water for some minutes. Press using your hand to squeeze the milk out.
Use a cheesecloth to separate the solids from the liquids. Do this by batch for easier handling.
Squeeze as much milk out of every batch as you can then discard the solids.
How to use Latik?
As I mentioned above, Latik is usually used as a garnish for other Filipino desserts and delicacies.
Here are some of the Filipino treats that are made more delicious when topped with Latik. You may get the recipes if you click on the image.
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You can also check our Tibok-Tibok, that is a Kapampangan version of Maja Blanca.
I will be adding Sapin-Sapin to this list soon...
How to make Latik (Toasted Coconut Milk Curd)
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh grated coconut
- 4 cups warm water
Alternatively, use 1-2 cans of coconut cream if freshly grated coconut is not available.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, soak the grated coconut in water and stir and press between your hands. Repeat several times.
- In a separate bowl, place a cheesecloth on top and scoop the grated coconut and water on top of it in 4-6 batches. Wring out the clothe to extract the coconut milk. Discard the solids.
- Place coconut milk in a saucepan and bring to simmer over medium heat. Cook until the liquids have evaporated, leaving the solids or curd and coconut oil. Stir from time to time so they can brown evenly.
- Remove from heat once it becomes light brown. Remember that it will continue to cook and brown while it cools down so remove it from heat early enough or the latik would burn.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in June 2018. Updated in May 2019 to include new photos and additional info. Recipe remain the same.
JoJo says
I didn’t cook to a dark enough color to get the crunchy texture I wanted. So after draining I put the latik on a cookie sheet and put it in the toaster oven at 350° until it reached the desired color and crunch. But you have to watch it closely as my son
Bebs says
Thanks for the helpful tip, Jojo.
Alison says
Hi Bebs - I used coconut cream (Goya brand) but it just turned out like jam consistency once it turned light brown. It did not curd at all. Do you think it’s the kind of coconut cream I’m using?
Bebs says
Can you check if your brand has sugar in it?
Joy says
What if it turns into brown but no oil came out? Can I put a little bit of oil like canola or extra virgin olive oil into it?
Bebs says
No need since you will drain the oil anyway.
Sarah says
Thanks for this! Planning to make tibok tibok but I cannot find a real coconut near my place. Will use canned coconut cream as a substitute!
May says
I used the Goya coconut cream to make latik but it just turned into a hard sugar ,the first time I made it it was good so I don’t know why it’s been like this
Patrick says
Hi! Thanks for sharing this. I actually found out about this from a video about making coconut rice. I did exactly the steps you describe to form the latik, and then cooked it with rice and it is my new favorite obsession 🙂
Armin says
Thanks for the feedback, Patrick...Latik is really great, right? 🤗
Rav says
My mom always makes latik whenever she makes biko. And yup, it does take some time for the coconut milk to turn into latik. This recipe requires patience.
Bebs says
So true but it is so worth it..😘
Cha says
Hi Bebs, would you know how long is the shelf life of a latik?
Bebs says
Sorry Cha, I haven't tested it myself.
Julia G Falco says
I tried making latik out of canned coconut milk, it was a failure! Curd did not form and not even a drop of oil came out. The result was just a soft white stuff. The brand I used is a Thai product. Any suggestion which is the real coco milk in can to buy? Thank you.
Bebs says
Hi Julia, the soft white stuff is the actually the latik. You just have to cook it a little bit longer to turn brown. I suggest looking for canned coconut cream as it has more solids and will give you more latik.
Espie Hartshorne says
Hi Bebs, I tried to post a comment about the sans rival recipe. Still waiting if you can publish a recipe for it. Thanks.
Bebs says
Hi Espie, I saw your request and replied. I will try to make Sans Rival soon...will inform you personally when it is done. 😉