What can I do with palm fruit?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

There are several things you can do with palm fruit, depending on your preferences and the resources available to you. Here are a few options:

1. Make jelly: One of the most popular uses for palm fruit is to make jelly. After harvesting the fruit, you can immediately use it to make a delicious jelly. The process involves boiling the fruit, extracting the juice, and then adding sugar and pectin to create the jelly. It’s a great way to enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor of the fruit.

2. Remove the pit and freeze the fruit: If you prefer to use the palm fruit at a later time, you can remove the pit and freeze the fruit. Freezing helps to preserve the fruit’s freshness and flavor. Simply remove the pit by cutting the fruit in half and scooping out the flesh. Then, place the fruit in an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer. You can thaw the fruit whenever you’re ready to use it.

3. Make wine: Palm fruit is also commonly used to make wine. The process involves fermenting the fruit to extract its juices and sugars, which then undergo fermentation to produce alcohol. It’s a unique and flavorful way to enjoy the palm fruit, and the resulting wine can be enjoyed on its own or used in various culinary applications.

4. Use the seeds to make oil: The discarded seeds of the palm fruit are actually quite valuable. They contain around 45% oil, which can be extracted and used for various purposes. In some countries, the palm seed oil is used to make margarine. The oil can also be used in cooking, cosmetics, and other industrial applications.

Palm fruit offers a range of possibilities for culinary and non-culinary uses. Whether you choose to make jelly, freeze the fruit, make wine, or extract oil from the seeds, palm fruit can be a versatile ingredient with a unique flavor profile.