In addition to cooking, palm oil is also used in some soaps.
Palm oil is produced from the fruit of the tropical oil palm tree. Production of palm oil is growing due to heavier demand for edible oils from China and India, and the United States' focus on lowering trans fat in cooking. Add this to my Recipe Box.
History
Native to West Africa, the oil palm was used for its production of oil for cooking. The English would trade and buy palm oil for its many uses. After 1900, plantations run by Europeans were established in Africa and Asia, and world trade continued to grow.
Nutrition
Palm oil is made of 50 percent oleic acid and 50 percent palmitic acid. These fatty acids are the most widely used by the human body for its normal functions. In moderation, it is a good replacement to trans fats and can result in a good HDL and LDL cholesterol ratio.
Uses
Aside from being edible, palm oil can be used in the creation of soaps. It is also used as an alternative fuel source, otherwise known as biodiesel.
Production
Indonesia and Malaysia are the leading producers of palm oil. The two countries produce anywhere from 16 to 18 million tons of oil a year.
Warning
Palm oil production comes with an environmental cost because so many people use it and demand continues to grow. The rise in palm oil production in Indonesia has destroyed parts of the tropical rain forests, which endangers the habitat of many endangered species.
Tags: also used, palm used