What is Shea Butter and how is it made ?.

'Shea' or 'Karite' butter is produced
from the nut of the 'Karite' tree. The word 'Karite' means 'Tree of Life'.

The Shea or karite tree, ('Butyrospermum paradoxum' now known as 'Vitellaria paradoxa'}. produces fruits for up to 200 years after reaching maturity.

Sun dried Karite
nuts ready for
cracking. This is done by hand to release the butter inside.

Once the nuts are dried they are pounded into small pieces with large pounding sticks.

Then the small pieces are roasted and water is added to turn the powder into a rich brown paste which is then whipped.

The paste is then continuously washed to remove the residue.

Shea butter is a natural moisturiser, emollient and anti-flammatory agent. It is rich in Vitamins A,D,E & F. In some African countries it is used for cooking and also to relieve sinusitus - try rubbing it on the side of your nose when you have a cold !