PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION OF FATS AND OILS 21 
ALMOND OIL 
Most almond oil is obtained from bitter almonds, although some is 
expressed from sweet almonds. Xo difference between the oils from 
the two kinds of almond can be detected by chemical means. The 
fixed oil of almonds is placed on the market under the name of sweet 
almond oil, thus distinguishing the fatty oil from the essential or 
volatile oil of the bitter almond, which is obtained from the bitter- 
almond cake. Prior to 1914 the imports of this oil into the United 
States frequently exceeded 100,000 pounds, but in recent years they 
have fallen to about 2,000 or 3,000 pounds, owing in part to the 
increased production of the oil in California. 
Almond oil belongs to the nondrying class and has good keeping 
qualities. It is used chiefly in the manufacture of pharmaceutical 
preparations. 
APRICOT-KERNEL OIL 
Apricot-kernel oil is obtained by expressing the kernels from 
apricot pits. When first expressed this oil is nearly colorless, but 
on standing it gradually becomes yellow. All the color, however, can 
readily be removed by bleaching. In most respects apricot-kernel 
oil is similar to almond oil. 
Apricot kernels contain from 40 to 45 per cent of oil. At one time 
large quantities of the pits from the dried- fruit industry of Cali- 
fornia were sent abroad, where the oil from the kernels was expressed 
and frequently shipped back to the United States. In recent years, 
however, the oil has been made in California. 
Apricot-kernel oil is used as a salad oil and for pharmaceutical 
preparations. 
GRAPE-SEED AND RAISIN-SEED OILS 
Grape-seed oil is obtained from the seeds which are a by-product 
of the grape juice and wine industries. Raisin-seed oil is obtained 
from the seeds which are a by-product of the seeded-raisin industry. 
Grape-seed oil is made chiefly in Europe; raisin-seed oil is made in 
California. 
Raisin seeds contain only about 14 per cent of oil. These seeds are 
treated with hot water to free them from the pulp, preferably decor- 
ticated, and then pressed. In Europe grape seeds are extracted by 
volatile solvents. Depending upon the variety of grape, the yield of 
oil ranges from 12 to 20 per cent. 
Some grape-seed oil compares favorably with second-quality olive 
oil and is used for edible purposes. Large quantities of raisin seeds 
are now ground for feed. The expressed oil from raisin seed is 
used in the manufacture of soap. Like soy-bean and sunflower-seed 
oils, grape-seed and raisin-seed oils have drying properties. In 
Spain the oil, alone or with linseed oil, is employed in making paint. 
CHLNESE VEGETABLE TALLOW 
Chinese vegetable tallow is the hard fat which coats the three 
oval seeds contained in the fruit of the Chinese tallow tree UStU- 
lingia sebifera). China produces up to 10,000 tons of this fat a 
year. Much of it is sent to Europe and some is imported into the 
United States. 
