palm oil (पाम तेल)
About palm oil (पाम तेल)
Palm oil, while not traditionally a staple in Nepali cuisine, is increasingly finding its way into the country through processed foods and imported cooking oils. Nepal, with its growing urban population and changing consumption patterns, is witnessing a gradual rise in the use of palm oil, primarily in packaged goods and less frequently in household cooking. Its low cost and stability at high temperatures make it attractive for the food processing industry. However, there is a growing awareness about the environmental and health implications of palm oil, raising questions about its long-term role in the Nepali food system. As a country heavily reliant on agriculture, Nepal faces the challenge of balancing affordability with sustainability and nutritional well-being.
Nutritional info
These are the major micro nutrients found in palm oil
Seasonality
Palm oil itself does not have a seasonality in Nepal, as it is not produced within the country. It is an imported product that is available year-round. The seasonality relevant to palm oil pertains to its production in Southeast Asian and other tropical countries where oil palm trees are cultivated. The availability and price of palm oil in Nepal might be influenced by global harvests and market conditions, rather than local seasons.
History
Palm oil has no traditional roots in Nepal's culinary or agricultural history. Historically, Nepal relied on locally produced oils such as mustard oil, ghee, and various plant-based oils from seeds like sesame and soybeans. The introduction of palm oil in Nepal is relatively recent, coinciding with increased imports and globalization. It entered primarily through the processed food industry and as a cheaper alternative to traditional cooking oils. There is no record of traditional palm oil farming or processing within Nepal, as the climate is not suitable for its cultivation. The use of palm oil in Nepal is therefore a modern phenomenon driven by economic factors rather than traditional practices. Nepal’s agricultural sector has not taken to large scale cultivation of oil palms. Palm oil production is not a part of Nepali agricultural history, making it purely an import-based commodity.