If someone back home told you to get Ude Aki and you are standing in an American store, here is what to ask for.
Ude aki in English is palm kernel oil. Ude aki in Igbo means palm kernel oil, word for word. In stores you will usually see it sold as black palm kernel oil. You may also see it called unrefined palm kernel oil or African batana oil. Ours is Ude Aki black palm kernel oil, 4 oz, roasted over firewood in Nigeria and packed in New Jersey.
Ude Aki in English and its other names
| Name | Where you will hear it |
|---|---|
| Ude Aki | Igbo. It means palm kernel oil |
| Adin Dudu | Yoruba |
| Manyanga | Central Africa |
| Black palm kernel oil | English |
| Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil | The official ingredient name on a cosmetic label |
What it is
Ude Aki is oil from the kernel of the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis. The kernel is the hard seed inside the palm nut.
It is not the same as red palm oil. Red palm oil comes from the soft flesh of the fruit. Ude Aki comes from the kernel. More in palm kernel oil vs palm oil.
How Ude Aki is made
This is the traditional way, and it is how ours is made in Nigeria:
- Crack the palm nut.
- Take out the kernel.
- Put the kernels in a pot.
- Cook them over firewood.
- The heat drives the oil out of the kernel.
- Pour everything through a sieve and keep the oil.
That is the whole process. No press, no solvents, no bleaching.
What to expect when you open a jar
- Colour: deep caramel to rich brown, darker or lighter by batch. It is called black, but it is not black.
- Smell: strong, smoky and nutty. That is the real thing. It fades after a few minutes on skin.
- Texture: solid when cool, melts on contact with skin. Grainy is normal.
- Solid or liquid: both are normal. It depends on the weather in transit. If it arrives solid, warm it in your hands for a few seconds.
What Ude Aki is used for
In Nigerian homes it is used on:
- Skin: to moisturize and soften dry areas.
- Scalp: massaged in to condition.
- Hair: to seal in moisture and for strong hair.
For step by step routines, read how to use black palm kernel oil on hair, scalp and skin.
For hair in particular, read Ude Aki for hair: how to use it on 4c hair, locs and scalp.
Patch test on a small area before first use and stop if irritation occurs. Keep it away from the eyes and out of reach of children. It is for external use only.
Is Ude Aki the same as batana oil?
Close, but not the same palm. Batana oil comes from the American oil palm in Honduras. Ude Aki comes from the African oil palm. Both are kernel oils made the same way. Read African batana oil: what it is and what it is really called or batana oil vs palm kernel oil.
Ude Aki in English: common questions
What does ude aki mean in Igbo? Ude aki in Igbo simply means palm kernel oil. The name describes exactly what is in the jar.
What is the ingredient list? One ingredient: Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil. Nothing is added and nothing is taken out.
Where is it made? The oil is roasted over firewood in Nigeria. JEB FOODS packs it in Union, New Jersey.
How should I store it? Keep the jar cool and closed. There is no water in the oil, so keep water out of the jar too. Use a clean, dry finger or spoon.
Can I eat Ude Aki? No. Our Ude Aki is sold as a cosmetic for external use only.
Why does my jar look darker than the photos? Looking down into a full jar, you see through a lot of oil at once. Rub a little on your skin and it is a warm caramel orange.
What the words ude aki mean
Ude aki is Igbo. Ude means cream or lotion, including hair cream. Aki means palm kernel. Put together, ude aki is palm kernel oil, especially when it is used as a lotion on skin and hair.
That is how it is still used: as a balm for skin, scalp and hair. In English you will see it sold as black palm kernel oil. The same oil is called Adin Dudu in Yoruba and Manyanga in Central Africa.
Shop Ude Aki black palm kernel oil.
Where to buy Ude Aki in the USA
JEB FOODS Ude Aki Black Palm Kernel Oil is one ingredient, roasted over firewood in Nigeria and packed in New Jersey. Each lid has a QR code so you can check your jar is real at jebfoods.com/real.
Buying batana oil? Read real batana oil vs fake: 7 ways to tell before you buy.