The Making of Shea Butter

Shea butter is a soft, potent and natural product that provides a welcome relief from the artificial skincare items used by millions daily. The stories behind the creation of shea butter are what makes it all the more special. Each 500 grams of shea butter purchased promotes the livelihood of the women in Africa who are the force behind Shea Butter production. Keep reading to learn more about how shea butter is made.

Where Does Shea Butter Come From?

Shea butter is often referred to as “women’s gold” since it is a source of occupation and income for many women in Africa. The Shea (or Karite) Tree is the one that bears the nuts which go into the making of shea butter. It is found in nineteen African nations. This tree can take up to fifty years to attain full maturity and is highly valuable for the nuts that it supplies. All of our shea butter comes from fair local trading practices in Africa, where the women manually gather shea nuts from the trees.

The Process

Firstly, the harvested nuts are made to boil in a big vessel. This prepares the shells to break more easily.

After the nuts are allowed to cool, they are removed from the shells. (These are repurposed as fuel for cooking.) Women make a group activity out of this stage, as it can take up a lot of time.

The extracted seeds are split and then roasted.

In order to release their rich fats, they are beaten with water.

These seeds are boiled, skimmed, and cooled, which leaves the final product of shea butter.

 

A Heritage

Women teach the methods of shea butter making to their daughters, passing it on as a family tradition. Although this work can be challenging, it is a source of stable income for many women in Africa. This video is yet another resource that can help in understanding how women earn a livelihood in this occupation.

The increasing demand for Shea butter in recent years has led to the creation of more opportunities for women in Africa. Also, due to the spreading awareness of the unhealthy substances used in many skincare items, a growing number of people are turning to Shea butter to create their own cosmetics. Shea Butter is abundant in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin E. It is ideal as a base ingredient for lotions, body butters, eczema creams, deodorants, and many more. 

A Huge Thank You!

We are incredibly grateful to the women of Africa for the hard work and skill they invest, for making shea butter isn’t a straightforward task. It is our hope that you will come together with us in supporting and appreciating Shea butter for all the value it brings to us as well as the effort it takes to create it.

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