Fat
Red palm oil
Also called palm oil, dende, unrefined palm oil, zomi
Unrefined oil pressed from the flesh of oil palm fruit. Deep orange-red, thick when cool.
Origin
West and Central Africa; also Brazil as dendê.
Flavour
Earthy, slightly savoury, faintly like carrot. It stains everything it touches.
How to use it
Heat gently until it loosens, then fry onion or egusi in it. Do not take it to smoking; it turns bitter.
Storage
Cool pantry. It solidifies below about 24 °C and that is normal.
