Palm oil; Palm kernel oil

Palm oil comes from the fruit of the African palm tree; palm kernel oil is extracted from the nut or kernel of other types of palms. Both oils are vegetable sources of cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acids. Although palm oil is a common ingredient in African and Brazilian cuisine, it is not readily found in supermarkets. Palm kernel oil is pale yellow in color and more mild in flavor than the reddish-brown palm oil. Palm kernel oil is used in cosmetic preparations.