Palm fruit oil, extracted from the oil palm tree, is a healthy cooking oil rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins. It contains good cholesterol and has a longer shelf life than other oils. It is used in cooking, baking, and packaged foods, and can be made at home.
Extracted from the fleshy fruit of the oil palm tree, Elaeis guineensis, palm fruit oil is considered a healthy cooking oil. It is a common culinary ingredient in Southeast Asia and Africa. In fact, the tree grows freely throughout the tropical belt of Africa, where the grapefruit-sized fruits are used to produce palm oil from its pulp and palm kernel oil from the palm kernel. The oil has been used for almost thousands of years within this region and is only now becoming popular in Western cultures.
The main producer and exporter of palm oil is Malaysia. However, areas like Indonesia and Columbia are also popular places to source palm oil. There are many benefits to using this oil compared to other types of cooking oils. The most important is the fact that palm oil contains valuable vitamins that are essential for maintaining optimal health.
Palm fruit oil is a rich source of antioxidants. These are responsible for keeping the body healthy. The beta-carotene found in the oil, which provides its red color, is packed with antioxidants like vitamin A. Vitamin A helps with vision and protects against many diseases. It is also rich in vitamin E, which helps protect against cancer and other diseases.
Additionally, palm fruit oil does not contain “bad” cholesterol and contains HDL (high-density lipoprotein), a form of good cholesterol that the body needs. It is a good source of energy with equal amounts of saturated and unsaturated fat and no trans fatty acids. In fact, it contains less saturated fat than coconut and palm kernel oil. This oil contains only 50 percent compared to 92 percent found in coconut oil and 86 percent in palm kernel oil.
Another benefit of using palm oil is its longer shelf life. This is due to the two basic parts of the oil: palm olein, which is liquid, and palm esterin, which is solid. This not only contributes to longer storage by stabilizing the product from heat and oxidation, but also helps retain freshness. Other types of cooking oils must have preservatives added to preserve freshness, actually reducing any of their natural qualities.
Palm fruit oil can be used in food products as a healthier alternative. It is used for cooking and baking. It is also found in packaged foods like chips, cake mixes, candy, and snack foods. On its own, the oil can be used as a salad dressing or as a flavor enhancer for soups and other dishes. Palm oil is occasionally used in candles, cleaning products, lotions, and cosmetics.
If the tree is accessible, it may be possible to make palm fruit oil. This is accomplished by boiling the ripe palm fruits until soft and tender. They can then be gently squeezed, releasing the pulpy juice. This juice is filtered and boiled again. The fresh palm oil will float to the top, where it is then scooped out and placed in an appropriate container.
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