Palm shortening is derived from palm oil (read about
Virgin Palm Oil here). In its natural state, palm oil is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, with most of the unsaturated fat being monounsaturated fat. Palm shortening is palm oil that has some of its unsaturated fats removed, giving it a very firm texture, and high melting point. The melting point of our Organic Palm Shortening is 97 degrees F., making it very shelf stable. It is NOT hydrogenised, and contains NO trans fats! It is great for deep-fat frying and baking, and is not prone to rancidity. Since it has been separated from some of the unsaturated portion of the oil, it is colorless and odorless, and will not affect the taste of foods like Virgin Palm Oil does. If taste is needed in applications, then
Virgin Coconut Oil,
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or
Sesame Oil
can be added for great baked or fried foods!
Palm Oil: The Number 1 Dietary Oil for the Rest of the World
Although scarcely used in the US any longer, palm oil is the most heavily consumed dietary
oil in the world after soybean oil. If one were to exclude the US 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. Saturated fats, such as tropical oils
like palm and coconut, as well as butter, have traditionally been considered healthy fats and oils. In modern
history, commercial interests have condemned saturated fats and replaced them in the American diet with
polyunsaturated fats that are hydrogenised and contain trans fatty acids, which most people now consider
harmful. These trans fatty acids were banned in some European countries as early as 2004, and food label laws in
the US just forced manufacturers to list trans fats in their products last year. Some cities in the US are now
banning trans fats in restaurants as well. To read research on palm oil and saturated fats, as well as the
history of fats and oils
click here.
Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening comes from small scale family farms in
South America. These farmers are certified by ProForest, which ensures that they meet strict social,
environmental and technical criteria. With regard to environmental criteria, the assessments are carried out at
the landscape and operational level at both the farms and processing facilities. These assessments cover
environmental impact on the soil, water, air, biodiversity and local communities. The lands the farmers use are
not lands that were deforested. The lands used to grow the palm fruit are lands previously used for agricultural
purposes (cattle, rice, banana).
I don't know how I found Tropical Traditions but I'm glad I did. I have been a chef and deeply involved in natural, organic, high quality food for decades and am deeply impressed by Tropical Traditions' quality, integrity, product line, how ethically they support the people who make their products, and their customer service. Nik - Sacramento, CA
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