Should Coconut Cream Be Solid?

A good quality can of coconut milk should be at least half solid cream, plugging the can effectively, so that even the thinner milk at the bottom can't slosh around when you shake it.

Is coconut cream supposed to be solid?

Don't be alarmed if you open a can of coconut milk and there's a solidified cream at the top and thick, syrup-like water in the bottom – it's totally normal. If a recipe calls for coconut cream – that stuff at the top is what you want!

How can you tell if coconut cream is bad?

When coconut cream goes bad, it is typically accompanied by a sour or rancid smell. If your coconut cream is in the fridge, you may notice swelling or bulging of the container. If either of these signs occurs, you should discard your coconut cream.