Palm Oil and Palm Oil RBD

[a_simmonds5]

Hi everybody, I am really new to this haven't even made my first batch yet. Just in the process of ordering my supplies and Im super excited. I just am wondering if someone could tell me if there is a difference between Palm Oil and Palm Oil RBD, and if a recipe calls for Palm oil RBD is it okay to use just Palm oil. Sorry if that seems like a silly question, and thanks for your help. :wave:

 

[Hazel]

It's not a silly question. Some terms can be confusing when you're starting out. RBD just stands for refined, bleached, deodorized. If it says palm oil, it might just mean that it's unrefined. You can use either one but I think the unrefined may add a slight orange color in soap. I'm not positive about the color but I think someone mentioned it in an old post.

 

[jenneelk]

Yep that's me. and I haven't noticed an orange at all.. Only with red palm.
I like the RBD kind so far.

 

[Hazel]

No, it wasn't your post. This was a post from a long time ago. Palm oil is naturally reddish/orange in color because of the carotenes. It loses this color through processing. Unrefined palm is either shown as palm, red palm, crude palm or pure palm. I have to admit red palm sounds better and I've noticed this term being used more since it was being promoted as the latest, greatest health food, yada yada blah blah blah. Label appeal, ya know?

@ a_simmonds5 -

I don't know if you read this but palm oil has different properties from palm kernel oil. You don't want to be confused between the two. Palm oil is processed from the fruit and is considered the veggie alternative to lard. Palm kernel oil is from...what else...the kernel. :grin: Its properties are similar to coconut oil. I apologize if you knew this already because I don't want to offend you.

 

[judymoody]

Usually if a supplier has unrefined palm oil, they will call it "virgin" palm oil.

You definitely want the RBD. Unrefined palm oil is bright orange. When I didn't know any better, I used some in my first batch of soap. The soap was screaming bright orange, like a giant block of cheddar cheese. It also has a distinct odor, even after saponification. Personally I don't care for it, but everybody's nose is different.

Refined palm oil also comes in a hydrogenated, "no stir" version which is very handy as you don't have to melt it down and stir it every time you use it. Refined palm usually comes in a jug and if you don't melt and mix, the stearic acid will sink to the bottom and you will have inconsistent results in your soaping.

I do have a small amount of virgin palm oil that I use for coloring soap. An ounce to a pound of regular oils will make a nice yellow soap.

 

[a_simmonds5]

Thank you everybody, I much appreciate all of your help. I have alot of learning to do.