While palm oil is known for being very cheap and controversial, red palm oil is artisanally made and can be much more expensive. The vibrantly colored oil is made from palm fruits and can cost 2-3 times as much as its kernel oil counterpart / 16 times as much as other cooking oils. Despite the high cost, the handmade oil is a staple in West African households, used to make local dishes like jollof rice and Banga soup. But what makes it different from palm oil and why exactly is it so expensive?