Palm oil / Dende oil

HISTORY 

     The oil palm is native to tropical Africa, from Sierra Leone in the west through the Democratic Republic of Congo in the east. It was domesticated in its native range, probably in Nigeria, and moved throughout tropical Africa by humans who practiced shifting agriculture at least 5000 years ago. European explorers discovered the palm in the late 1400's, and distributed it throughout the world during the slave trade period. In the early 1800s, the slave trade ended but British began trading with west Africans in ivory, lumber, and palm oil.  The oil palm was introduced to the Americas hundreds of years ago, where it became naturalized and associated with slave plantations, but did not become and industry of its own until the 1960s. The first plantations were established on Sumatra in 1911, and in 1917 in Malaysia. Oil palm plantations were established in tropical America and west Africa about this time, and in 2003, palm oil production equaled that of soybean, which had been the number one oil crop for many years.

For more info about the palm oil, click --> MODERN OIL PALM CULTIVATION

My husband Eric and I traveled to Cachoeira, Brazil  and watched how they made palm oil. It was amazing!

Palm oil seeds.

Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of oil palm.

Learn to cook and love it!

 (Vatapa)

    
 First of all, I want to thank my dear mother in law Jane for teaching me how to cook Bahian dishes. I never really liked to cook because I did not find any dishes I liked so I did not have an enthusiasm to cook. Few years ago, I flew to Brazil for visiting my husband Eric and meeting his family. I’d admitted I thought Brazilian food was yucky and did not want to try, but nevertheless, I was in their country so I would not want to miss an opportunity of trying. When Jane made muqueca and it smelled so good. I really enjoyed it - the taste was refreshing and crisp, texture was nice and not too thick, spice level was perfect. I spend more quality time in the kitchen and cook. Now I dream of opening my own Brazilian restaurant. I want to show Brazilian cookery at its finest, and bringing with them dishes that I learned while living in Brazil.