Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
Whether you’re a coconut yoghurt / kefir virgin, or an experienced connoisseur of plant-based products, here are a few helpful facts you might like to know:
What’s the clear stuff at the bottom of the jar?
That is the ‘whey’ – in any natural yoghurt making process you’ll find it separates from the protein. It’s packed with good stuff, so make sure you stir in back into the yoghurt before serving. We don’t add gelatins or gums to our yoghurt to make it all stick together artificially.


Is Coconut Yoghurt Healthy?
Although coconuts are relatively high in fat, they contain medium chain saturated fatty acids instead of long chain fatty acids – making it easier to digest! Coconut oil is thermogenic (tends to produce heat), which increases the amount of energy used. Because of this it can actually speed up your metabolism! But not only that, coconuts reduce inflammation – which can help with healthy bowel movements too. And the probiotics in our vegan coconut yoghurt also encourages a healthy gut and supports your digestion. Lauric acid (which is found in coconut cream) naturally boosts your immunity, and if you notice your skin and hair feeling healthier… that’s because of the vitamins found in it too! So enjoy – knowing it’s not only better for the environment, but for your body too.
I’m tempted to smash the whole jar in one go. Should I?
Don’t worry – you’re not alone! It’s so yummy that it is very easy to keep eating spoon after spoon, however, be aware that this plant based yoghurt is ALIVE and full of probiotics. Your tummy may not be prepared for a big dose of probiotics all in one sitting!


Where did Kefir originate, and what’s so good about it?
Kefir originated in the Northern Caucasus region of Russia – and was kept as a closely guarded secret before being enjoyed all over the world (they believed it was one of the keys to longevity and well-being). The potential health benefits of our vegan Kefir include – improved digestion, bone health and the reducing of inflammation. Ours also has the added benefit of Vitamin C!
How much Kefir should I have at once?
Each 500ml bottle is 2.5 servings. We tend to have half a bottle with our breakfast (it’s great with granola in place of milk), but there’s nothing wrong with drinking a whole bottle as a yoghurty smoothie in between meals either – especially if you already have probiotics in your regular diet (otherwise work your way up). Just shake & enjoy!
What is our Kefir similar to?
We’ve found that it’s comparable to a yoghurt smoothie / lassi. It’s very drinkable – goes down smoothly and isn’t too acidic or intense – which is what some people may associate with kefir.


What are the main ingredients of Kefir?
Each of the 4 vegan Kefir flavours has a different health benefit to get you through the day, but what they all have in common is that they’re 100% plant-based and made using organic coconut milk. The sweetness only comes from fruit – not added sugar. Each bottle is packed with live probiotics – there’s 6 different strains: L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, S.thermophilus, L.delbrueckii, L.plantarum, and L.paracasei. They also have the added health benefit of Vitamin C, so it boosts your immunity!
I’m pregnant, is it still safe to eat your products?
Yes, it’s completely safe to eat and drink our products while pregnant, as we pasteurize our coconut cream to ensure it doesn’t contain any harmful bacteria. Just be sure to consume our products within the best before date and to not let them get warm.


Where do your coconuts come from?
Our coconut come from beautiful Indonesia. They’re grown organically, with no fertilisers, sprays or pesticides used, and sourced from local growers all around Java & Sumatra. Mr Coconut recently went to visit them, here’s a blog post about the trip to learn more.
How long can you keep coconut yoghurt/kefir?
You can keep coconut yoghurt (and kefir) in the fridge at or below 4 degrees, for up to 4 weeks unopened. How long does it last after opening? Once opened it’s best eaten within 7 days. You’ll notice it gets slightly thicker and more tart over time.
How do I know if my coconut yoghurt is off?
If you’ve forgotten you had a jar in the fridge and let it expire, you might be wondering if your coconut yoghurt is still okay to eat, or if it’s gone bad! We’ve all been there, and we’re here to help. If it’s showing signs of mould, or tastes super fizzy, we’d recommend you cut your losses and grab a new jar! This isn’t how our vegan coconut yoghurt is meant to be enjoyed.


Why is my yoghurt sometimes thicker / thinner?
We brew our vegan coconut yoghurt multiple times a week for deliveries – a fresh batch that’s just hit the shelves will be runnier than a jar that’s been refrigerated for a week or more. If you like your yoghurt thicker, try leaving it in the fridge for a few days before opening, and also avoid shaking/stirring vigorously as this breaks the natural coagulum that yoghurt forms when it sets. If it’s too thick you can thin it out by stirring in coconut water or almond milk. It is a sensitive product, so storing at the correct temperature is important for keeping it a nice consistency. At really cold temperatures (below 2 degrees) the fatty acids in the coconut cream freeze and make it thicken a lot, almost going ‘hard’, so be careful not to keep it right at the back of the fridge.
Can I freeze your yoghurt?
Freezing the yoghurt changes the consistency, it gets a bit dry and crumbly, like cottage cheese. It DOES freeze really well in raw cheesecake recipes or if you make icecream/iceblocks out of it (see vegan recipes on our blog for ideas), but that’s because of the combination of other ingredients.


Why the glass jars?
When we first started making yoghurt back in 2014, all yoghurt in NZ was packaged in plastic. On average, only 7-9% of plastic used in NZ gets recycled. The majority ends up in landfill, gets shipped overseas and illegally burned, or goes into the natural environment; killing wildlife and breaking down into microplastics that fish & humans consume (a recent study found that 75% of fish in our waters contain microplastics). We didn’t want to contribute to the plastic problem, so became the first yoghurt brand to package in glass. 75% of glass used in NZ is recycled here. Glass can be endlessly recycled without reducing in purity or quality – unlike plastic, since the polymer chains reduce with each round of recycling, making it only possible to recycle 1-10 times. Glass is made from natural materials (sand, soda ash, and limestone), not petrochemicals. There are many reasons we love using glass – if you are trying to reduce plastic in your life and have found some creative ways to reuse your jars, we’d love to see them!
Can I send my empty jars back to you?
We can’t accept returned jars directly due to hygiene risks, but we encourage you to reuse your jars in creative ways at home – make your pantry plastic-free, use them as smoothie glasses, reusable coffee cups, flower vases, fill them with delicious bliss balls and give to your friends! And then of course if you put them in recycling they’ll get remade into new jars by NZ’s largest glass recycler. We are excited that the NZ government is working towards a nationwide glass return scheme and we have expressed our desire to be part of this as soon as it is ready to go ahead.
Are your labels recyclable?
Since our recent change to a new, wider style of jar, you may have noticed that our labels are no longer easy to peel. 🙁 The surface of the new jar type seems to be more grippy, the labels are exactly the same as they’ve always been. So we are actively looking for a recyclable paper label that is moisture-resistant and still easy-peel without using glues or adhesives, as we know how much our customers love being able to take off the label easily and reuse their jars. We are hoping to have this sorted soon!
How many probiotics are in your yoghurt?
We get our yoghurt micro-tested frequently and the probiotics count (acidophilus & bifidobacterium) is consistently greater than 15,000,000 cfu per gram. Approx 70-230 grams of yoghurt per day meets the recommended daily intake for probiotics.


Are your products Cruelty-Free?
Yes! Our coconuts are harvested by humans, not monkeys. Mr & Mrs Coconut have personally visited our suppliers to ensure this is the case. All our suppliers have signed a code of conduct with us that explicitly states that we do not permit the use of any animal labour, child labour, or prison labour.
What can I use it for?
Due to its thick, creamy consistency, you’ll find that Raglan Food Co yoghurt is very versatile and makes an excellent dairy-free substitute in recipes. Baking, curries (although be aware that high temperatures will kill the probiotics), smoothies, in iceblocks, with breakfast, and mixed with herbs as a dip are all potential ways to enjoy it … get creative in your kitchen and let us know what you make with the hashtag #raglanfoodco. For vegan desserts, breakfasts, and general vegan meal ideas using our yoghurt – head here. We have plenty of easy vegan recipes!
