Oil Palm




The African Oil Palm, growing only in tropical regions of the earth produces the palm fruit - fleshy red fruits that grow in bunches and contain a kernel within a hard shell. Originally, the Oil Palm grew only in African, it is now grown in Asia, North America and South America. Nigeria used to be the largest producer of the oil palms, now it is the third largest, after Indonesia and Malaysia.
The tree lives for about 25 - 30 years, and because it continues to yield fruits during its life time it is considered a high productive crop - it is capable of yielding more oil from less land than any other vegetable oil.



A bunch of the palm fruits weighs about 10kg and produces over 1000 fruits. The fruits are oval shaped, ranging from orange to red, with a hard seed that houses a round white kernel. Two types of oils are produced from the Oil Palm - Palm oil from the pulp of the fruit, and Palm Kernel Oil from the kernels within the hard shell. Both oils are edible and are also used in food and cosmetics, but that's not all they have to offer.



Processing

The bunches are harvest from the trees and the fruits cut off from the stalk, this is a task that requires strength and is most often done by men. The fruits are left on the farm for 3 - 5 days to allow them get soft, allowing the producers pick out the fruits from the husks. The fruits are then cleaned to remove twigs, leaves and dirt, then washed and cooked for one hour and a half.


After cooling, the fruits are pounded or mashed to form a paste, this paste is paced in a basket dipped in water, and is further agitated to separate the oil from the shaft. The oil now floats on the water and this is scooped out and heated for about 30 minutes. Finally the oil is filtered and stored in large kegs, jugs or bottles, ready for use or sale.


Palm Kernels

Palm oil is it is rich in vitamin E and beta-carotene, giving it its red color, and ranges from solid to semi-solid at room temperature. When palm oil gets processed - refined and bleached, it looses the carotene and becomes a pale yellow color, this version remains liquid at room temperature. Palm oil is used in food, soap making, makeup, animal feed as well as a fuel.

Palm Oil

Refined Palm Oil


Palm Kernel oil ranges from being semi-solid to liquid at room temperature, locally called "alaidi" (Hausa), "adin dudu" (Yoruba) and "mmanu aki" (Igbo) in Nigeria. Homemade produced Palm Kernel Oil is dark brown to black because it is roasted to extract the oil. Refined Palm Kernel oil is light yellow and pressed using a machine press. The shaft gotten from the processing of Palm Kernel Oil is turned into Palm Kernel Cake used to feed livestock.

Palm Kernel Oil

Refined Palm Kernel Oil


Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil have numerous skin benefits that include deep moisturizing, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, strengthening hair and moisturizing scalp, especially when used as a warm-oil treatment.



At Adonmu, Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil are ingredients in some of our soap bars. They add moisturizing properties to our bars and make them harder, so the soap lasts longer for you in the shower. All through the month of March we offer a sample sized bar of soap in every order. Try any of our moisturizing bars and experience an Amazing Bath Time.

The Best Organic Soap Bars in Africa are found at Adonmu. Check our social media pages for more.
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Nature's Finest from Africa's Best - Adonmu

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