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"It has the scent of violets, the taste of olive oil and colour which tinges food like saffron but is more attractive" |
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t has the scent of violets, the taste
of olive oil and a colour which
tinges food like saffron but is
more attractive.”
Such was a 15th Century description of
palm oil. Used and treasured by the
ancient Egyptians and to this day much
valued by the world, palm oil with
diversity of uses is truly amazing.
It is the preferred oil for home and
commercial use in many lands, and it is
found on the shelves of virtually all food
stores and supermarkets. In many
societies, consumption rises sharply with
major festivals, making this oil an essential
ingredient for ‘celebrations of life’.
Palm oil comes from the oil palm, an
attractive tree originating in Africa. The
story of palm oil’s evolution from a highlyprized
local commodity in Africa to
become the largest traded edible oil and
fat in the world – with Malaysia the largest
producer – is a source of inspiration to
Malaysians in particular.
The oil palm is the country’s ‘golden crop’
reflecting the colour of the oil as well as
the success of the industry. Carpeting the
countryside, from the shorelines to the
foothills of the interior, the palms
gracefully dominate Malaysia’s cultivated
landscape.
A minor producer of about 0.1 million
tonnes just 50 years ago, Malaysia’s
output in 2004 exceeded 13.6 million
tonnes, representing about half of the
global production.
This coffee-table publication traces the ‘Malaysian Success Story’. It takes the
reader into the kitchens of the world. It
explains the unique properties of this oil,
especially the healthy balance between
unsaturated and saturated oils and fats,
and delves into related health issues.
It provides glimpses of the plantation
industry and explains why Malaysia is a
reliable and sustainable supplier of this
remarkably versatile oil. In short, it
invites everyone to share the passion for
palm oil – aptly called ‘nature’s gift to
the world’.
Click here to Purchase |
