Coconut Aminos | Everything You Need

to Know

What is Coconut Aminos 

Coconut Aminos is a type of delicious sauce that is commonly used in 
cooking. And is made from fermented sap of coconut blossoms that 
is then blended with sea salt. 

Furthermore it is a common alternative to soy sauce that is soy free. 

But it has very ​similar properties to soy sauce​. Contrastingly 
containing way more health benefits than soy sauce. 
Taste Comparison to Soy Sauce 

When you first try out this soy sauce replacement, you might think that 
it will taste like coconuts. Instead the taste is only slightly that of 
coconut and very similar to soy sauce but has ​less salt​. 

Also it has the perfect flavor that is salty yet rich with another milder, 
sweeter flavor. Which in Japan the savory taste is regarded as 
“umami” or “pleasant savory taste”. 

Coconut Aminos Usage 

 
Dressing & Seasoning: 
Firstly, coconut aminos work really well for enhancing the flavor of 
sushi rolls​ and other foods. Meanwhile you can also try it on steamed 
vegetables, salad, vegetable stir-fry.  

Marinade: 

Besides using it as a dressing on your salad or ​a condiment seasoning 

for your sushi​. It can also work as a marinade for cooking ​Japanese 
fish​. Such as tuna, salmon, etc. 

Furthermore, there’s just so many options you can really use this soy 
alternative for. Besides as a dipping for sushi, it also works for my 
favorite asian dish: fried rice. Although it isn’t as salty as soy sauce.  

Salt Substitute: 

Moreover it can be a wonderful replacement for the extra salt that is 
needed in your recipe. Since this condiment contains high amounts of 
sodium content per teaspoon. 

Hence giving each dish a boost of a deeper flavor. Boosting the dish 
with savoriness whether it is soup, fried rice, or curry.  

Additionally if you’re a foodie you can use it to drizzle your popcorn or 
potato chips and make a delicious snack. It will also be able to work 
into tomato sauce to really darken the color and enrich the texture. 

Comparison to Other Products 

Coconut Aminos VS Soy Sauce 

Firstly it is understandable that eaters can really confuse the two 

condiments. Especially when they are so similar not only in taste, but 
also in its dark color. Meanwhile possessing similar sweetness and 
saltiness. 

However, coconut aminos are more open to a variety more of different 

dietary restrictions. Meanwhile it is easier for people to adapt to than 
soy sauce for a dipping sauce due to being less salty. 

But this is not to say that soy sauce doesn’t contain a variety in its 
taste that makes it perfect for home-cooking. Following, this 
difference in their taste is from a difference in their fermentation 
process. 
While soy sauce is generally from roasted wheats and soy beans, 
coconut sauce is from coconut saps. And the fermentation process 
for soy sauce is way longer and perhaps ranging up to months. 

Coconut Aminos VS Tamari  

As an avid-sushi eater you might think about how it is different than 

Tamari. Although it really gives food a stronger and bolder flavor than 
soy sauce, coconut aminos are still miles from that strength in flavor. 

Also authentic Tamari sauce originates from Japan and uses alcohol 
preservatives. Which might give some brand sauce a slight bit of a 
chemical aftertaste. 

Another important thing you need to be aware of is the one big 

difference in ingredient. Since Tamari is more like Soy Sauce and uses 
soy-beans as the base. 

Meanwhile the shelf life of coconut condiment is shorter and goes up 
to 1 year. On the other hand, Tamari sauce will last for as high as two 
years. 

Coconut Aminos VS Liquid Aminos 

First of all liquid aminos is a derivation that is made from protein and 
water. Hence there is the soy-based variety and the one we are talking 
about today: coconut aminos. 
Moreover, liquid aminos are generally from processing soybeans with 
acidic chemicals as a replacement for natural fermentation methods.  

Although the texture is very similar to that of soy sauce, liquid aminos 
is less sweet in taste and is actually richer in sodium than coconut 
condiment. Since one teaspoon already contains 320 mg, which 230 
more mg than the coconut variety. 

Although we have been talking about all the bad parts of liquid 
aminos. But they can be great for individuals that are on a vegan or 
vegetarian diet.  

Since liquid aminos contain tons of amino acid compounds that will 
give their diet the essential amino acids which they lack from meat. 

Difference to Coconut Oil 

First of all, coconut oil and aminos are both part of coconut products. 
But they are vastly different in use, since the amino would be very 
salty as an oil alternative. 

Further along, coconut oil is from mature coconut nuts. Meanwhile the 
amino is from coconut blossom nectar and sea salt. 

Similarly they are both great products that help improve satiety and 
are useful for paleo diet. Also they are not made from added 
chemicals or processing. 
How It is Used 

Dietary Purposes 

As for individuals on certain dietary restrictions, this coconut product 

is an easy fit. Since the condiment is very low-glycemic, ​gluten free​, 
and way less sodium than soy sauce. 

Besides it is also jam-packed with vitamins such as vitamin C, B, 

potassium, and amino acids that you need for muscle growth. And it 
also fits the paleo diet and has no GMOs nor MSG. 
Along with being a wonderful seasoning for the Keto diet with only 5 
calories per tablespoon and 90 mg of sodium which is 10x less than 
soy sauce. 

While coconut aminos also provide healthy probiotic that will enhance 
the health of your gut. While not containing any wheat in the 
fermenting process that will affect individuals with celiac’s disease or 
sensitivity to gluten. 

Mix With Wasabi 

While many people don’t really like having wasabi in their food. It is a 
really common way of ​enjoying sushi​ by mixing wasabi with soy 
sauce. But now you can instead ​mix wasabi​ with coconut aminos.  

Which when mingling the salty condiment with the fiery wasabi will 
add to the saltiness and extra complex depth to its texture. 

Diarrhea Effect: 

While I was researching this article, I found it strange that diarrhea 

would come up on google for a health paleo product. But further 
research prompts me to realize it is actually a common problem for 
many people. 

Generally this could be due to stomach intolerance for the high fat 
content of coconuts. Which is due to a low level of certain digestive 
enzymes for absorbing fat.  
Another common cause is the body’s inability to break the sugar in the 
coconut called fructose intolerance. So this not only means coconuts, 
but includes honey, apples, and others. 

Besides allergies, another probable factor is that your body is not used 
to eating fermented foods. Hence if your body is not used to 
fermented foods like coconut amino, vinegar, kimchi. ​Therefore these 
individuals will need to make sure they adapt their body to it slowly. 

Coconut Aminos Substitutes 

Although coconut aminos is great for applying to your sushi or for 

dipping sashimi. Still it doesn’t have the deeper and stronger depth 
that some soy sauce contains. 

So some common substitutes for this condiment is with either Tamari 

or soy sauce. With Tamari being the sauce that has more of a balance 
and less salty for dipping. While sporting a thicker texture to the full 
umami flavor.  

Meanwhile a​ good soy sauce​ will have an aromatic quality that ​will 
enhance the dish​. Additionally being a great source of nutrients and 
antioxidants.