Palm oil is derived from the fruit of the palm trees. It has a natural red color because it is rich in beta-carotene. It has two primary uses – as a cooking oil and in cosmetics. In cooking, it is usually used for baking, sauces, soups, and even popcorn, while in cosmetics it’s one of the main ingredients of many soaps and creams.
The benefits of palm oil are extensive as they help to prevent brain disease and cancer, as well as vitamin A deficiency. It is also used in treating high cholesterol and blood pressure. If you are not sure which palm oil you should buy, take a look at the reviews of the best products and the market at the moment. After you read the reviews, make sure to take a look at the information about how to choose, buy and store palm oil.
Okonatur Palm Oil
- 100% pure
- Originates from Colombia
- Perfect for baking
Although it is used as a cooking oil, it is especially recommended for baking cookies. The product is from Colombia from farms that are used for stock-breeding. The expeller pressed method was used during manufacturing. It contains no trans fats or artificial ingredients. Aside from baking, it also can be used for soap making.
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp of the fruit of the oil palms. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Nativa Organic Red Palm Oil
- Unrefined
- Buttery texture
- Originates from Ecuador
Nativa’s palm oil is completely organic and unrefined. It is made from palms that grow on family farms in Ecuador. The product is completely non-GMO and environmentally friendly. It has a carrot-like flavor and a buttery texture. It’s perfect for sautéing, sauces and soups, but it can also be used for making popcorn.
Dr. Adorable Palm Oil
- Cold pressed
- Perfect for soaps and lotions
Dr. Adorable makes both palm oil and palm kernel oil. The palm oil is extracted from the fruit while the other type comes from the fruit’s kernel. Both are rich in antioxidants and nutritive ingredients. The primary use of Dr. Adorable’s products is in cosmetics, where it works great as a skin moisturizer and a carrier oil for soaps, lotions, and creams.
Praise Red Palm Oil
- 100% natural
- No trans fats
- Originates from Ghana
Praise red palm oil is a premium African product rich in antioxidants and free of artificial ingredients. It can serve equally good for cooking needs and for skin care products. The oil comes in an easy-to-use ergonomic bottle. It is extremely healthy and contains no cholesterol or trans fats.
Essential Depot Palm Oil
- Ideal for soap making
If you are looking to make your own soaps, then make sure to try Essential Depot palm oil as an ingredient. The product can be perfectly mixed with olive and other oils as it adds firmness to soap bars. Palm oil speeds up the process of soap making and gives it a nice white-yellow color.
H&B Oils Center Co. Palm Oil
- Refined
- Cold pressed
- Cosmetic and skin care product
H&B Oils Center Co. palm oil has been refined, deodorized and bleached, but it has kept all the nutritive ingredients, such as vitamins E and K and palmitic acid. The primary use is for cosmetic and skin care products as it can extend their shelf life.
Grain Brain Palm Oil
- Organic
- Originates from Brazil
- World’s most sustainable palm oil
Grain Brain is dedicated to the environment and, if that is important to you, you should know that Greenpeace rated Grain Brain as the #1 sustainable palm oil manufacturer in the world. The product also has great quality and no artificial ingredients. In can be used in cookies and cakes, as well as for making creams and soaps.
Aunt Patty’s Red Palm Oil
- Organic
- USDA certified
- Cooking oil
Aunt Patty has made red palm oil that should be used only in cooking. It is completely non-GMO and the USDA certified that the product is organic. The flavor is mild, but the amounts of nutrients are high. It contains no trans fats or artificial ingredients. It is perfect for grain and rice meals, as well as for soups, sauces, and popcorn.
Juka’s Organic Red Palm Oil
- 100% natural
- Organic
- Unrefined
This premium quality oil comes from farms in West Africa. It has multiple nutritive benefits and various uses. Although it’s a food grade oil, it is mostly used to make skin care products. This high-quality red palm oil is used by soap makers around the world.
Royal Golden Palm Oil
- Organic
- Refined
- Originates from South America
Approved by USDA, Royal Garden’s palm oil is the premium quality product to use in the kitchen. It is completely organic and packed with nutritive ingredients, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene. The company is famous for making excellent cooking oils, but their palm oil is definitely one of the best.
Palm Oil – Select, Buy, and Store
There are two types of palm oils and it’s important to know their difference:
- Palm oil – also known as red palm oil, it’s the oil that is derived from the fruit of a palm tree.
- Palm kernel oil – it is derived from the kernel of the fruit. While it has its benefits, it’s not as healthy as the pure palm oil. On the other hand, it is cheaper
If you care about the environment, another thing to make sure is that the manufacturer hasn’t damaged any natural ecosystem in order to make the palm oil. Africa and South America are especially rich in palm trees, so you should look for reliable brands that use palm trees from there.
You can buy palm oil in the local grocery stores or online. It has a pretty long lifespan and it can last for up to 3 or 4 years. As for storing, you can simply store it in a kitchen cabinet. The oil is solid at room temperature, but if you have hot summers, you might think about putting it in the fridge. That way it will remain solid and you will be able to use it without dripping and leaving possible stains.
