SHEA BUTTER FACTS

Shea Nut Butter is one of the Africa’s most sustainable natural resources. The Shea Trees grow naturally in the grasslands of west and central Africa and do not need irrigation, fertilizer, or pesticides. The Shea Trees are native to the savanna and are difficult to grow in plantations. It takes at least 25 years for a Shea Nut Butter Tree to produce large numbers of fruits. Shea Nut Butter is one of the Africa’s most sustainable natural resources.

Introduction

Shea Butter has been used for centuries in Africa for its moisturizing and healing properties, where it has been used to protect and condition skin, which have been damaged, by the sun and wind.

Grades of Shea Butter:

The Shea Butter sold by Ah Shayh is, unrefined and having a very subtle pleasant aroma. Many companies use bleaches, deodorizers, or chemicals to alter the scent and appearance of Shea Butter. It is important to not purchase Shea Butter that has been altered in this way, as these processing methods deplete the product of its healing and medicinal properties, and also destroy the vitamins and minerals naturally present in Shea Butter. Shea Butter naturally has a cream color, and a distinctive scent, which may not appeal to some. However, after applying Shea Butter to the skin, the scent lessens in strength.

Extraction Methods:

Ah shayh’s Shea Butter is prepared by hand in a small village in Tamale, Ghana. The Village women who are a part of the collective historically use a method, which has been passed down to them through their elders. Because of the money earned by the women, the village will be able to afford basic necessities, such as schools, clinics, and clean water. To produce Shea Butter, the shea nuts fall from the Shea Tree between April and August, the nuts are cracked, ground into a paste. They are then boiled in water until the oil rises to the surface of the kettle. This oil is then scooped into gourds, where it is allowed to cool. Once that the oil has cooled, it thickens into a butter-like consistency. This Shea Butter is then packaged and shipped, providing us with a pure, high quality, and genuine product.

Benefits:

Shea Butter is naturally rich in Vitamins A, E, and F, as well as a number of other vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E help to soothe, hydrate, and balance the skin. They also provide skin collagen, which assists with wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Vitamin F contains essential fatty acids, and helps protect and revitalize damaged skin and hair. Shea Butter is an intense moisturizer for dry skin, and is a wonderful product for revitalizing dull or dry skin on the body or scalp. It promotes skin renewal, increases the circulation, and accelerates wound healing. It is also beneficial for the treatment of many different conditions, such as:


We now know the ingredients in shea nut butter are responsible for these user benefits. The responsible ingredients include among other ingredients, Vitamin A, Cinnamic esters, terpene alcohols, sterols and etc., Vitamin E.

Using Shea Butter:

Shea butter is basically composed of two fatty acids, stearic and oleic, which together account for 85-90% of the total fatty acids. The relative proportions of these two fatty acids determine hardness of the shea butter. Stearic acid is solid, while oleic acid is a liquid at room temperature. Therefore, shea butter with a higher oleic content will be softer than shea butter with a low oleic content.

The proportions of stearic and oleic acids in the shea kernels and butter differ across the distribution range of the species. Shea butter from Central Africa has consistently high oleic acid content, and is liquid at warm ambient temperatures. The fatty acid proportion of West African Shea Nut Butter is much more variable than Central African shea butter. In West African Shea Nut Butter, the oleic content ranges from 37 to 55%, while the stearic content can vary from 25 to 50% (Maranz et al 2004). This means that the hardness of Shea Nut Butter from West Africa, which is where the vast majority of Shea Nut Butter and nuts are produced, can vary significantly.

Even shea butter from one region, such as the central region of Ghana can vary in hardness. This is because an individual tree that produces hard butter can be located right next to one that produces soft butter. Since Shea Nut Buts are gathered from a wide area for local production, the Shea Nut Butter consistency is determined by the average fatty acid contents of the region.

We have also found that the age of the Shea Nuts can also impact the solidity and consistency of the Shea Butter. In our own production, Shea Butter that is produced from nuts that are three months old or less will be much harder than shea butter produced from older nuts. In fact, we have found that Shea Butter from nuts that have been stored at least on season is much softer and creamier than Shea Butter from non-aged nuts.

The healing and moisturizing ability of Shea Butter is not affected by the hardness, since this is determined by the ratios of the two main fatty acids, and the unsaponifiable content is similar across fresh unrefined, handcrafted Shea Butters.

Once the shells are removed, the shea kernels are dried for storage and Shea Butter making throughout the year. If the kernels are properly dried, they have a shelf life of 5 years or more. In fact, the shea nuts from the previous season produce more oil and a creamier textured butter since they have lower moisture content.

Source:
Maranz, S, Z. Wiesman, J. Bisgaard and G. Bianchi. 2004. Germplasm resources of Vitellaria paradoxa based on variations in fat composition across the species distribution range. Agroforestry Systems 60:71-76.