Shea Nuts

Shea nuts are obtained from the Vitellaria paradoxica, more commonly known as the “shea trea” which is indigenous to many parts of Africa. The shea nut is the seed of the fruit of the shea tree. The fruit portion is typically removed to retrieve the hard-shelled nut, which is further de-shelled to separate the nut from the outer shell. The nuts are then crushed, roasted, ground, gradually soaked in water to separate the essential oils, boiled and subsequently cooled in order to extract the main by-product, unrefined shea butter.

Women in Africa have traditionally played a critical role in the oil extraction process of the shea nut kernel, as this is typically a manual process. Shea butter is largely used in the cosmetics industry for skin and hair-care related products such as moisturizers, lotions and soaps. It is sometimes used as a base for certain specific medical salves and creams. Shea butter is also an ingredient used in the chocolate manufacturing industry.

General Specs:

• Free Fatty Acids (FFA) = <=6%
• Moisture Content = <=7%
• Oil Content = >=45%
• Latex = 4-10%