What is palm oil made of, where is palm oil used
Much has been written and said about the dangers and benefits of palm oil. The statements of experts and the reasoning of bloggers put pressure on the consumer, forcing them to make one or another choice. The problem is that not all of us know what palm oil is made of, so you have to believe everything that has been said. Let’s figure out what kind of product it is and whether it is really so harmful.
It should be noted right away that the word “oil” itself is not used quite correctly. Rather, it is a fat that is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of palm trees.
For its preparation, ripe fruits are placed in huge vats for heat treatment. After a short boil, the fat rises up, where it is collected for further refining. During this process, it is cleansed of impurities, neutralized from free fatty acids, bleached and deodorized. After this processing, the raw materials are ready for use.
The most valuable is the palm fruit oil, extracted with the help of gentle technology. It is not refined, therefore it is maximally enriched with useful components. This oil is red in color with a pleasant taste and aroma. In some parts of Africa, it is mined by hand.
There is also technical palm oil. It is used for cosmetic purposes and on an industrial scale (for lubricating various parts). For the production of each type of oil, its own special technology is used.
The fields of application of this raw material are wide. Palm oil is used all over the world for confectionery purposes, it is replaced with milk fat, added to fast food and various sauces.
1. In bakery, such fat is added to baked goods to extend its shelf life and improve taste. It is also irreplaceable for confectioners – a variety of pastes, fondants, fillers, cookies, cakes contain palm fat. It is also present in chocolate.
2. Consumers have no idea how milk is made from palm oil. And not only him, but all fermented milk products. Cream is separated from milk on a separator, casein and milk protein are collected. Palm fat and other elements are added to the resulting skim milk to make the product taste “natural”. Other products are processed no less masterly: cottage cheese, ice cream, condensed milk, butter, sour cream – to increase the shelf life and production volumes, quality goes to the side.
3. Apart from the food industry, this fat is also used in cosmetology. It is added to soaps, shampoos, creams. Due to the content of vitamins A and E, the oil perfectly moisturizes the skin, softens it, and improves the condition of the hair.
The use of palm fruit oil is widespread throughout the world. I would like to believe that manufacturers do not violate the production technology of products and use high-quality raw materials that will not harm our health.
See also: Remove paint stains