Red Palm Oil

Red palm oil is an unrefined oil pressed from the fruit of the oil palm, prized for its deep orange-red color and distinctive, gently nutty and earthy aroma. The vivid hue comes from high levels of carotenoids that persist through minimal processing, along with vitamin E compounds that help the oil resist oxidation better than many other unrefined oils.

Culinarily, it is a foundational fat in many West and Central African dishes and in Afro-Brazilian cooking, where it lends both color and flavor to stews, sautés, and fried preparations. It sets semi-solid at cooler room temperatures and melts to a fluid oil when warmed; the color can lightly stain cookware and foods. Choose sustainably sourced products when possible, and store away from heat and light to preserve its aroma and color.