In brief
- Coconut blancmange is a gelled Caribbean dessert made with coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk
- Origin: the French Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe), from a dessert of Persian and European origin
- Essential ingredients: coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, lime, cinnamon
- A dessert served well chilled, in individual portions, often for festive meals
Origins and cultural history of Caribbean coconut blancmange
Blancmange has its origins in Persia, in meat porridges thickened with rice and almonds. The recipe is thought to have arrived in Europe in the Middle Ages via the Arabs, along with rice and almonds, then gradually turned, between the 17th and 18th centuries, into a sweet jelly served at the end of a meal.
The dessert then spread to the Caribbean, where it was reworked with local products, in particular coconut and vanilla, to become the coconut blancmange found today in Martinique and Guadeloupe.
What are the essential ingredients of Caribbean coconut blancmange
This recipe relies on just a few ingredients, easy to find in an African and Caribbean grocery store, including NKOSI.
- coconut milk
- sweetened condensed milk
- vanilla
- lime (zest)
- ground cinnamon
- gelatine or agar-agar
What to know about Antillean coconut blanc-manger
Coconut blanc-manger is a set Antillean dessert made with coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk, flavoured with vanilla, lime zest and cinnamon. It is set with gelatine or agar-agar, then served well chilled in individual portions. It is a dessert for festive meals in Martinique and Guadeloupe, descended from a dish of Persian and European origin.
Frequently asked questions about Caribbean coconut blancmange
How long does Caribbean coconut blancmange keep?
It keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, covered with cling film. It can also be frozen in individual portions for later use.
Can gelatine be replaced with agar-agar?
Yes: allow about 2 g of agar-agar to replace 3 sheets of gelatine (about 6 g). Agar-agar must be brought to the boil with the liquid for a minute to set properly, whereas gelatine is stirred in off the heat.
Where to find the ingredients for Caribbean coconut blancmange in France?
NKOSI sells the coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and cinnamon for this recipe on nkosiagro.com and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
