Integrating Banana Oil with Palm Oil

In a world of health consciousness, many people are always on the lookout for the latest health craze. Today, that very well may be palm oil.

Palm oil has long been used in traditional cooking throughout Southeast Asia and Africa. Research into the oil has just begun, and the health benefits are numerous. There is evidence to support its ability to fight free radicals with a power packed punch of antioxidants. This is important because free radicals, from things like cigarette smoke and industrial pollution, are constantly attacking our bodies. Researchers believe they may cause degenerative diseases and contribute to the aging process. Palm oil is also considered to be one of the most heart healthy oils on the market today.

The uses for palm oil are varied. In its crude form, it has been utilized as an industrial lubricant since the industrial revolution. It is used in the production of candles and soaps as well as a variety of other products.  As a cooking oil source, it is used for food preparation, cooking and deep-frying. Chefs like the rich red color of red palm oil and the light, olive like taste of virgin palm oil.

There is another option for cooks looking for healthy oil without the light olive taste. By combining palm oil with banana oil, cooks can have the benefits of palm oil with the fresh taste of banana.

Contrary to the name, banana oil is not derived from bananas. Instead, it is a man made chemical compound. Oily in nature, it has the taste of bananas. Some report a faint violet smell from the oil.  Banana oil is a combination of fusel fuel and sodium acetate. Fusel oil is largely comprised of amyl alcohol. It is considered to be both poisonous and volatile and has a poor flavor. It is produced from grape, corn or potatoes spirits. Sodium acetate is a salt. The two, when combined are rendered harmless. Banana oil has many uses. It is used in the manufacture of leather goods and can be found in soaps, candles and potpourri. Its most popular use is that of a flavor additive, primarily in ice cream.

Cooks prize the combination for its light texture and fresh taste. Because it is comprised manly of palm oil, it is a useful cooking agent. The smoke point is relatively high and like traditional palm oil, it retains its nutritional value even during the heating process.

While both banana oil and palm oil are popular in their own rights and have many uses, today it is possible to purchase an emulsion of the oils, giving rise to a whole new world of healthy and lightly flavored foods.

Palm oil has come a long way from its inceptions thousands of years ago. What was once used solely for traditional cooking in Africa is now becoming a popular alternative to unhealthy animal oils and even some vegetable oils.  Palm oil will continue to grow in popularity as its health benefits are explored.