Palm trees have been in existence as old as man, perennial in nature it has been observed that all parts of the palm tree are useful and economical to man.
• The tree itself is used for landscaping.
• The fronds (leaves) are used for shelter, animal food and broom making.
• The fruits either coconut or palm fruits are edible to man.
• The stem wood can be used for making hard wood floors.
• Wax from some plan trees is used for making scented candles.
• In Africa (Nigeria), extracted oil from the kernel seeds are used for curing cold, and also navel healing of a new born.
• The kernel oil is also used as ointment for hair and body.
• Palm wine is a very traditional drink in Nigeria readily available at meetings and ceremonies.

Also, Palms are symbolical for victory, peace, and fertility.
To the elite, Palms symbolizes vacation.

Today, I would be documenting the extraction process of palm oil from the palm kernel fruits. This tree is barely 10years old and can live for 700years amidst harsh weather conditions.

STEPS

HARVESTING
When ripe, the fruits begin to turn from black to reddish towards the tip and yellowish pushing the base. This is the sign of a ripe bunch of kernel fruit. When this happens, you cut it out using a cutlass.

PICKING
• Select the ripe fruits carefully as bunch has thorns that could pierce.

Ripe Kernel fruit

CLEANING
• After picking the fruits, gather into a bowl to wash thoroughly with lukewarm water.

COOKING
• Next pour into a pot of water and steam for 45 mins.

POUNDING
• Sieve the boiled palm fruit from the pot using a colander. Then pour into a mortar and beat using a pestle.

• As you beat to pulp carefully to only remove the kernel seed from the palm fibre, you'd see that the oil begins to sip out as shown in the diagram above.
• Pour little water just enough to clean the kernel seeds from the palm fibres.

• After detaching the kernel, sieve again using the colander to extract the liquid only leaving the palm fibre and the kernel seeds in the colander.

• The liquid collected is collected in a pot and heat until the oil comes afloat and then collected using a spoon.

THANK YOU FOR READING
_{PS; This is usually done for immediate consumption at home. There are machines used specifically for the purpose of milling palm oil for a larger quantity.}