Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry and pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance were used in the estimation of crystallization kinetics of palm oil and modified palm oils. Differential scanning calorimetry was found to be more sensitive and could differentiate between crystallization during cooling and crystallization during isothermal conditions. Hydrogenated palm oils crystallized quickly and completely when cooled from 60° to 20°C, while palm oil and fractionated palm stearin continued to crystallize when held isothermally at 20°C.