(Dendê Palm Oil, Óleo de palma)
Azeite de dendê or dendê palm oil is a traditional and widely used cooking oil derived from the fruit of the African oil palm tree (lat. Elaeis guineensis), characterized by its rich red color and distinctive, nutty flavor.
Although the palm is of African origin and the oil from it is a staple ingredient in the cuisines of many African countries, particularly in West Africa, azeite de dendê has evolved to be a separate variety, emblematic of the Brazilian state of Bahia.
The palm was brought to that region in the 16th century but wasn't intensively grown until the abolition of slavery. Then, the quilombolan communities (descendants of the African slaves) started cultivating the plant and producing artisanal oil. It has since become an integral part of the culinary heritage of the region, and there are efforts to preserve the traditional methods of production.
Azeite de dendê is used in various traditional local dishes, such as moqueca, bobó de camarão, vatapá and curaru.
