How do they make Coconut Milk?

In Thailand, just as in Malaysia, freshly prepared coconut milk is sold at most markets, so most Thais don’t use canned. A mechanical coconut milk press that I saw on a recent trip to Thailand mesmerized me. It was able to extract huge amounts of coconut milk using only a small amount of added water. Since water dilutes the creamy, slightly sweet milk, less is better. Simply, the grated coconut milk is placed in a large cloth bag and then placed in a hydraulic press, which extracts the thick coconut milk. Water is added to the spent pulp and pressed again to yield a thinner second pressing of coconut milk.