What is "cookeen"

Cookeen is a block of vegetable oil (also known as shortening or vegetable lard in the U.S.) used for making pastry and other baking recipes. It is claimed to be usable straight from the refrigerator.

The Cookeen brand is marketed by Princes Limited, a British food producer belonging to Mitsubishi. Cookeen is actually owned by Edible Oils Limited, a joint venture between Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a U.S. food processing corporation, and Princes. The product is produced at a factory in Erith.

In October 2006, Cookeen and the other hard vegetable fats manufactured by Edible Oils Limited had the trans fat removed due to health concerns.