Red Palm Oil refers to the red oil and pulp from the fruit of the African oil palm (Elaesis guineensis) which grows throughout tropical Africa. Red Palm Oil is used in many African dishes. It is a staple and necessity for real West African food. It is pressed from the fibrous flesh around the nut of the fruit of the oil palm. Palm oil, also known as Manja or Zomi, is used liberally in soups and sauces, yet because of the unique flavor and aroma the dishes are delicious rather than greasy and oily. Although it gets a bad reputation for being highly saturated, Red Palm Oil is actually healthier than white palm oil. Red palm oil is about 50% saturated. The Red Palm Oil, which is easily extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the African oil palm, should not be confused with the oil which can be obtained by crushing the hard inner kernel.