We often use products derived from oil palm in our daily life. Come on, let’s get to know palm oil more deeply!
- Oil palm is a palm plant from the genus Elaeis. There are 2 types of oil palm, namely Elaeis guineensis originating from Africa, and Elaeis oleifera originating from America.
- Oil palm grows in the humid lowland tropics.
- Palm leaves are pinnate like coconut trees, about 3 to 5 meters long.
- Oil palm trees can grow to a height of up to 20 meters if the environment supports growth.
- The trunk of the oil palm tree looks like it is covered by the midrib which forms a special pattern.
- The reddish-colored palm fruit grows in large bunches of hundreds of fruits.
- Oil palm fruit is 3 to 5 cm in size, no bigger than a chicken egg. Each fruit consists of an outer layer and a core.
- This fibrous-rooted plant has roots growing sideways and downwards. These fibrous roots cannot withstand erosion as well as rooted plants.
- Oil from oil palm can be processed into various foodstuffs, such as cooking oil, margarine, instant noodles, and ice cream.
- Oil from oil palm can also be used for cosmetics, soap, toothpaste, paint, wax, and lubricating oil, and can even be processed into fuel for vehicles.
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