Types of Palm Oils

The oil palm produces two types of oils; crude palm oil (CPO) from the fibrous mesocarp and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) from the kernels. Although both oils originate from the same fruit, palm oil is chemically and nutritionally different from palm kernel oil. It is one of the only two mesocarp oils available commercially, the other being olive oil.

Crude Palm Oil milling process

Palm

Crude palm oil processing is an area that is receiving attention by most investors. They are beginning to see that it is a rich area that can not be ignored. Most people are studying to ensure that when they venture into this business, they have prospects of prospering to reach both local and international markets. It seems like so much focus and emphasis had been placed on crude oil processing and forgetting that there are other opportunities and options that needed venture and exploration. With the rising cost of import of crude oil and the elaborate process that is involved, it will be well worth your time and resources to try your hand in this business.

However, you need to remember that the whole process needs thorough research and various feasibility studies in terms of production as well as the market for the final products. There are various steps that are involved in the processing crude palm oil and they are listed as follows:

  • Reception of the raw material
  • Sterilization
  • Threshing
  • Fruit digestion
  • Pulp processing
  • Oil clarification
  • Oil drying
  • Oil packing

The oil palm produces two types of oils; crude palm oil (CPO) from the fibrous mesocarp and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) from the kernels. Although both oils originate from the same fruit, palm oil is chemically and nutritionally different from palm kernel oil. It is one of the only two mesocarp oils available commercially, the other being olive oil.

Virgin Red Palm Oil

virgin Palm Oil

What is Virgin Red Palm Oil?

Virgin Palm Oil is palm oil that is traditionally made and maintains the natural nutrients of carotenes (precursors to Vitamin A) and the antioxidant tocotrienols (Vitamin E). Typical RBD (Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized) palm oil has these nutrients stripped from them resulting in a clear oil. In its natural state, palm oil is red in color due to a high concentration of carotenes and tocols. Palm oil comes from a tropical palm tree (elaeis guineensis – NOT the same as coconut palm trees), which is native to the tropical areas of Africa, where it grows wild. It is a traditional oil used for more than 5000 years in African countries, where small-scale family farms flourish. The palm oil palm was introduced to South East Asia in the early 1900s, and Malaysia is now the world leader in exports of palm oil (Tropical Traditions does NOT source palm oil from there.) Being an introduced crop to Asia, they are mainly harvested from large plantations. Tropical Traditions Virgin Palm Oil comes from West Africa, NOT South East Asia. Our Virgin Palm Oil is produced by small-scale family producers in Africa. When you purchase Tropical Traditions Virgin Palm Oil, you are supporting small scale family producers in Africa, and NOT large corporate plantations in South East Asia. Read the history of Palm Oil here.

Palm Oil: The Number 1 Dietary Oil for the Rest of the World

Although scarcely used in the US, palm oil is the most heavily consumed dietary oil in the world after soybean oil. If one were to exclude the U.S. where most of the world’s soybean oil is consumed, palm oil would be the most popular dietary oil in the world. Palm oil traditionally has been used for baking, shortenings, margarines and deep fat frying, as it is shelf stable with a high melting point and does NOT require hydrogenation. Therefore, it contains no trans fatty acids.

Advantages of Virgin Red Palm Oil

High Stability To Oxidation

Oils and fats generally are susceptible to attack by atmospheric oxygen, resulting in rancidity. Virgin Palm Oil contains tocols (Vitamin E) which are powerful natural antioxidants. Therefore, it has exceptional resistance to rancidity. Virgin Palm Oil is known for its excellent stability at high temperatures.

Vitamin E – The Tocotrienols: Super Anti-oxidants

Vitamin E is one of the most important phytonutrients in edible oils. It consists of eight naturally occurring isomers, a family of four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) homologues. While most Vitamin E supplements on the market today are composed of the more common tocopherols, tocotrienols are believed to be a  much more potent antioxidant than tocopherols. Tocotrienols are naturally present in most plants, however they are found most abundantly in palm oil extracted from palm fruits. Other sources are rice, wheat germ, oat and barley. It has been shown by published research that alpha-tocotrienol is more potent than alpha-tocopherol as a form of Vitamin E. Since tocotrienols are a form of Vitamin E found less abundantly in nature than tocopherols, the research on this super anti-oxidant is still recent and ongoing. It is predicted that tocotrienols will become recognized as the new super anti-oxidant in the very near future. Virgin Palm Oil is one of your best sources for Vitamin E. Most Vitamin E supplements and skin care products on the market today are soy-based.

Vitamin A Nutrition: Carotenes from Virgin Palm Oil are Nature’s Abundant Source

In nature, there are approximately 600 known carotenoids, ranging from yellow orange to red hues and some 50 of these pigments possess Vitamin A activity of varying degrees. Virgin Palm Oil is one of the richest natural plant sources of carotenoids with concentration of 500–700 ppm. It has 15 times more carotenoids than carrots and 300 times more than tomatoes. No other vegetable oil contains carotenoids in such significant quantities. Analysis shows that alpha and beta carotenes constitute approximately 90% of the total carotenoid content.

Note: Vitamin A in its complete form is only available from fats in animal sources, like cod liver oil. Carotenes are what our bodies (if they are functioning properly) use to convert to Vitamin A. While animal sources are a more readily available source of Vitamin A, Vitamin A can be toxic at excessive levels, whereas carotenes are not. Therefore, Vitamin A toxic levels are not possible from consuming Virgin Palm Oil.

Tropical Traditions Virgin Palm Oil

Tropical Traditions Virgin Palm Oil comes from West Africa, NOT South East Asia. Palm oil is native to the tropical areas of Africa, where it grows wild. It is a traditional oil used for more than 5000 years in African countries, where small-scale family farms flourish. When you purchase Tropical Traditions Virgin Palm Oil, you are supporting small scale family producers in Africa, and NOT large corporate plantations in South East Asia. Virgin Palm Oil has a very high smoke point at about 425 degrees F., making it an excellent oil for frying. However, the longer you use high heat, the more you will destroy the natural antioxidants. Virgin Palm Oil should not be reused after one frying. Studies have shown that about 70% of the carotenes are retained after one deep frying, but after 4 deep fries there will be virtually no carotenes left.

Benefit of Red Palm Oil

Red Palm Oil

Red palm oil supplies essential fatty acids vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients essential for good health. Research suggests that a single teaspoon of red palm oil supplies the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of both fat and vitamin A for children.

Many people these days are starting to realize the wonderful health benefits of taking red palm oil. Even medical professionals are testifying to the efficacy of this natural health wonder in keeping the body healthy and in treating numerous illnesses. Aside from its healing properties, it is also valued for its high nutrient concentration.

A Brief Background of Red Palm Oil

Simply put, red palm oil is the oil extracted from the palm tree fruit. What distinguishes this oil from regular palm oil is that it retains its original color. Aside from that, it also has a higher concentration of various nutrients, especially carotenes, compared to regular palm oil. The reason behind this is that it only undergoes little to no chemical processing at all.

This natural health wonder has been the staple oil in Asia and Africa. For centuries, the people of Africa used this oil as a remedy for numerous health conditions. In fact, many Africans, especially those that live in small villages, continue to use this oil to treat various illnesses up to this day.

Even ancient Egyptians regarded it as a natural body healer. Its healing and nourishing properties are highly revered to the point that they placed it in the tombs of their Pharaohs. Ancient Egyptians believed that their dead Pharaohs needed the health wonders of this oil even in the afterlife.

How Red Palm Oil Can Benefit Your Body

The main reason why this oil is highly regarded in the medical world is that it is rich in various antioxidants, like vitamins A and E, and other vital nutrients. Also, it is a rich source of saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fats, which are essential for the proper growth and development of the human body. Aside from that, this oil also contains MCTs or medium chain triglycerides. MCTs are known to increase your body’s metabolism, which in turn helps you burn fat. It is for this reason why this oil is an ideal weight loss food supplement suitable for people who desire to achieve a healthier weight.

Red Palm Oil and Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another antioxidant that can be found in high concentration in red palm oil. The vitamin E that is sold by many pharmaceuticals these days only contains alpha tocopherol. However, the body cannot effectively absorb alpha tocopherol.

On the other hand, the vitamin E that is found in this oil contains both tocotrienols and tocopherols-the two vital groups of vitamin E. This natural combination of the said vitamin E groups help the body absorb vitamin E more effectively. This simply means that your body receives more health benefits from vitamin E if you take red palm oil rather than taking a commercial vitamin E capsule.

Finally, this oil also has hydrating and healing properties, which makes it good for your skin. In fact, many cosmetic products these days contain it as one of their ingredients because of its skin-nourishing characteristics.

Taking this oil regularly will surely improve your health. Its healing and nourishing properties will boost your immune system, keep you healthy, nourish your skin, and even help you lose weight. So if you’re thinking of taking a food supplement, why not give this oil a try?