Illipe nuts

The nuts of various Shorea species, yielding fats — illipe butter — much like cocoa butter in properties. Harvested in Southeast Asia, they supply the confectionery industry with a cocoa-butter-compatible fat for chocolate and coatings. Quality control focuses on proper species identification, since only certain Shorea species give the desired fat characteristics, and on clean harvesting and storage to prevent mould and rancidity in the high-fat kernels. Wild harvesting and seasonal supply mean especially careful supply-chain management for confectionery manufacturers.