Juka's Red Palm Oil (100% Organic & Natural From Africa)(16.9 FL OZ)

The media could not be loaded. Item: Juka's Red Palm Oil, 100% Organic & Natural From AfricaPrice: $14.92 for 16.9-ouncesWhile the more popular use of ‘palm oil’ here in the US is for skin care, in Brazil, it’s known for the unique and delicious flavor and color it imparts to two dishes; Moqueca de Camarao (shrimp stew) and Moqueca de Peixe (fish stew). These are two popular stews share this sauce that is known for its unique flavor and finished pale yellow color after adding your coconut milk. In Brazil palm oil is called ‘Azeite or Oleo de Dende’ (oil of palm).To bring this home, we’re an American-Brazilian family. And both my wife and I cook. So in preparing for a large lunch at our home for a number of friends, we’re featuring Brazilian Bacalhau (cod fish stew, not with red palm oil), and as an additional entrée, Moqueca de Camarao, shrimp stew. However, we didn’t have any Red Palm Oil in our pantry. While our local Brasilian Mercado had one brand, I wasn’t sure it would be a ‘best choice.’ The highest quality palm oils I know of come from West Africa and are not blended with other oils. And yes, West Africa is the point of origin for Juka’s brand.Because we’d not prepared this dish and the sauce before, I decided to watch a number of online videos. , but not seeing any direct brand recommendations, I search for and finally found one Brasilian chef who used a very similar oil. But refining my search in Amazon, I settled on Juka’s Organic. When my container of Juka’s palm oil arrived, it came in a glass container, not plastic, and was well sealed with an outer clear plastic bag. I experienced no leaks or any damage.I go into more detail about the oil and how I used it in my video review. In summary, this ‘first time venture’ using Red Palm Oil was successful. Juka’s brand performed as expected and I now have the confidence level in using Juka’s Organic as it was also recommended by a family friend who’s a Brazilian chef and has national television exposure on a major food network. So with her input and my success with Juka’s palm oil, I feel comfortable recommending it for its use in cooking. And most certainly would recommend it for African-Brazilian cuisine.

I love the taste. It is very thick and has a deep red color, unlike the Ola Ola Carotino I purchased from Whole Foods. The Ola Ola label states it a 'cooking oil', this is also an oil, but the two are very different. This looks like tomato paste very thick also looks exactly like what was shown on Dr. Oz, it will stand up to the spoon test and not run. I gave it 4 stars only because no where on the label does it state it's organic, but in the description above it says it is, and it's in a plastic container, I would have prefer glass. I squeezed the palm oil into a glass container, this way it's a lot easier to get out. Others have said to heat the bottle in warm water, but I don't think it's safe to heat plastic.Edit: I was running low and placed another order. In the meantime I'd see that Whole Foods is carring another brand of red palm oil, 'Alaffia Authentic West African Red Palm Oil'. So I decided I'd try it. Comparing the two-the Juka's is a very deep red, while the Alaffia is more of an orange color. The taste was very simular, but the Juka's seemed more flavorful. Plus I paid about $9.00 for 5oz. jar of Alaffia, what was I thinking?? So for me I'm not looking else where, this is going to be the red palm oil I will buy. I updated the rating to 5 stars because I was on Juka's web site and she says her palm oil is organic and also what I like is harvesting does not destroy the rain forest. Try it, it's amazing in stews, soups. I also sauted eggs which were very good. It has a spicy taste.Here is what is stated on the website: Juka's Red Palm Oil Product Features;* 100% pure and unrefined without any additives or preservatives* All Organic and Natural Red Palm Oil (we do not mix our product to maximize profit)* Obtained from West Africa (environmentally sound sources)* Juka's Palm Oil Does Not contribute or promote the destruction of the rainforest and wildlife* Non-Hydrogenated Oil* Rich in natural carotenoids (vitamin A), is a good source of tocopherols (natural vitamin E) and contains tocotrienols

I cook with it the best palm oil ever

I am modifying this review as it turns out to be unlikely the problem was with the product. The problem was more likely the packing /shipping which appears to be an Amazon issue. As per the pic, the smashed bag of goo was hard to sort out and while I initially thought it was a fish in a bag of red palm oil, and then a plastic jar that had inexplicably been shipped with no lid, it was actually a smashed glass jar and it was too dangerous to dig around looking for the lid. But the product texture and smell in fact were great - it appears to be top quality red palm oil.So I am torn in selecting a star rating as product appears to warrant a 5 but, since I received no usable product, a 5 doesn't quite seem appropriate.

I love it, I love it!!