Dende Oil
By: Helen Pitlick

About

Dende oil is a thick reddish oil extracted from palm fruits and is popular in African and Brazilian cuisine. Look for it in African specialty stores.

Information
Other names: Palm Oil, Red Palm Oil
Translations: Dende Nafta, Dende Nafta, Dende ulei, Dende nafte, Dende dầu, Dende Olie, Dende तेल, Azeite de dendê, Пальмового масла, Dende النفط, Dende 오일, Dende Minyak, Dende油, Dende Petroli, Denda Oil, שמן דקלים, Dende Olja, Денде нафте, Dendeオイル, Dende pétrole, Dende-Öl, Kundgøres Oil, Dende Petróleo, Пальмового масла, Dende Öljy, Dende петрола


Physical Description
Dendê Oil is a thick, dark, reddish-orange, strong-flavoured oil extracted from the pulp of a fruit from a type of palm tree grown in Africa and in Brazil.
Colors: dark reddish orange


Tasting Notes
Flavors: nutty
Mouthfeel: Oily
Food complements: Fish, Stews
Wine complements: All wines
Beverage complements: Coconut milk
Substitutes: Peanut oil, Annatto oil, West african palm oil, Half vegetable oil


Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december
Peak: may, june, july, august
Choosing: When choosing dende oil your choice can vary depending on if you'd like it organic, virgin or extra virgin dende oil. 
Buying: You can purchase online or at your local whole foods store. 


Preparation and Use
Heat the pan first before you put the oil in. This will help avoid burning the oil by cooking it too long.
Cleaning: No cleaning is required. 


Conserving and Storing
Store at room temperature away from heated areas. 


Social/Political
78% saturated fat.
History: In Dende Oil the word "Dendê" comes from the "African oil palm" (scientific name: Elaeis guineensis, Jacq) that Brazilians call "dendê."

Comments:
Leszek Makowski

I wish to know how to cook with Dende Palm Oil (Azeite de Dende) - seafoods and fish or paultry. Thanks
Leszek Makowski

I wish to know how to cook with Dende Palm Oil (Azeite de Dende) - seafoods and fish or paultry. Thanks