Mallow seeds

Mallow seeds are produced by plants of the Malvaceae (mallow) family — including mallows, hibiscus, okra and cotton — and are often used as oilseeds. Cottonseed is the dominant example: its oil, after refining to remove gossypol and other impurities, is a major frying and salad oil, while the meal feeds livestock. Like other minor oilseeds they require proper harvesting maturity, thorough drying to safe moisture, and clean storage to prevent mould, rancidity and mycotoxin contamination. Food-grade oils must meet refining and purity specifications (free fatty acids, peroxide value, gossypol limits for cottonseed), and the mucilaginous character of some mallow seeds also finds use in traditional foods and beverages.