Palm oil is widely used in various products, such as spreads, fried foods, and packaged goods. If you take a look at the ingredient labels of certain packaged foods, you might be surprised to see it right there (I’m looking at you, Nutella).
If you have palm oil at home, it’s important to follow the best practices for storage. It may last a long time, but it is totally possible for it to go rancid. Palm oil continues to be a controversial commodity. Responsible sourcing and awareness of its environmental impact are equally vital considerations. Let’s explore the key aspects of storing palm oil and the steps we can take to ensure its sustainable production and usage.
How To Store Palm Oil?
The ideal storage conditions for palm oil involve keeping it in a cool and dark place, away from ovens, refrigerators, or freezers. A pantry or storeroom provides optimal storage space for maintaining its quality. While refrigeration is not mandatory, it can extend the shelf life of palm oil. If you do refrigerate it, it will become quite hard, just like coconut oil, so be prepared for this!
Keeping track of your best-by dates and storage dates is also essential. One effective method is labeling oil containers with the date of opening to monitor freshness. Irrespective of the storage method, it is advisable to prevent the oil from sitting unsealed for an extended period. Why? Because the oil can go rancid if left exposed to air for too long.
Can You Freeze Palm Oil?
Just like coconut oil, palm oil boasts an extended shelf life, enduring even at room temperature for at least 12 months and longer if it is unopened. By freezing it, you can further prolong its storage potential.
For a range of uses, freezing palm oil offers convenience and simplicity when it comes to measuring and portioning. Have you ever tried to measure a portion of a semi-solid oil into a measuring cup or spoon? It’s super annoying! Other fats and oils are much easier to work with. Freezing the oil in portion-sized cubes means you will never struggle with measuring cups and tropical oils again!
To freeze palm oil:
- Transfer palm oil from the jar to a pan on the stove.
- Gently heat the oil on low, stirring regularly for even melting.
- Once the oil turns to liquid, take it off the heat.
- Portion the desired amount of liquid palm oil and transfer it to your preferred storage containers. I do mine in an ice cube tray.
- Let the coconut oil solidify at room temperature before placing it in the freezer.
How To Defrost Palm Oil
To defrost palm oil, you can’t really do it in the refrigerator as it will still be solid! You need to take it out of the freezer and let it sit out until it is thawed. If you need it in a liquid state, then you may need to pop it into a saucepan on low heat and melt it.
How Long Does Palm Oil Last?
The longevity of palm oil will depend on what kind it is and if it has been refined or not. Refined varieties tend to last longer. But we are big on unrefined, sustainable products, so that’s what we will be looking at. Organic palm oil has a relatively extended shelf life if stored properly – it can stay fresh for at least 12 months. Nevertheless, for optimal quality, we suggest using it within six months.
Freezing palm oil can extend the shelf life for up to a couple of years before it starts to smell a bit like the fridge!
How To Know When Palm Oil Is Rancid?
When unused for an extended period, palm oil can turn rancid. Although consuming a small amount of deteriorated oil may not be harmful, it will not be very appealing in terms of taste or smell. The initial warning sign of oil spoilage is often characterized by a metallic, bitter, or even soapy odor. If you’re unsure about the aroma of the oil, heat a small quantity in a pan to intensify the scent and aid in your judgment.
Alternatively, pay attention to the texture of the oil; you’ll notice it becoming stickier and less viscous as palm oil goes bad.
An Important Note On Sustainability
Palm oil is controversial due to its unsustainable production and destruction of rainforest habitats. However, you can buy palm oil that has been sustainably sourced. To ensure you buy responsibly sourced palm oil, look for the RSPO label (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). You can also check with manufacturers to see if they use certified sustainable palm oil sources in their products. The more we push for sustainable palm oil, the more likelihood that companies will source it ethically. Let your dollars do the talking.
FAQs
The destruction of land for the production of palm oil has had devastating consequences for numerous endangered species. Burning forests to create space for crops also significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Oil palm production is linked to the draining and burning of peatlands in Southeast Asia. This expansion has caused harmful effects on the environment, including declines in biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution.
Oil palms require approximately four years before yielding harvest-ready fruits. Then, these trees can continue fruit production for up to three decades, during which time they extend to an average height of 40 feet.
When compared to other liquid oils, palm oil stands out for its higher saturated fat content. With approximately 49% saturated fat, it surpasses the amount found in olive oil, which is less than half of that. While saturated fats are not the devil we used to think they were, they are associated with an elevated risk of heart disease and chronic health conditions.
Indonesia and Malaysia stand out as the primary global producers of palm oil, contributing to an overwhelming 85-90 percent of the world’s total production of this versatile vegetable oil.
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