How Is Raw Shea Butter Made?

The Process of making Raw Shea Butter

Shea butter is a natural fat that is derived from the nuts of the Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), which is native to Africa. The process of making Shea butter is typically carried out by women in rural African communities, and it has been a traditional practice for centuries.

Here are the general steps involved in making Shea butter:

1. Harvesting: The process starts with the collection of ripe Shea nuts, which are usually gathered from the ground after they have fallen from the Shea tree. The nuts are then sorted to remove any debris, such as leaves or twigs.
2. Drying and roasting: The Shea nuts are then left to dry in the sun or roasted over a fire to remove any excess moisture and to enhance their flavour.
3. Grinding: Once the Shea nuts are dry, they are crushed and ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a mechanical grinder.
4. Mixing with water: The ground Shea nut powder is then mixed with water to form a paste, which is typically left to rest for several hours to allow the oils to separate from the solids.
5. Separating the oil: The oil is then separated from the solids by hand or using a mechanical press, and it is usually heated to melt any remaining solids.
6. Filtering and cooling: The oil is filtered to remove any impurities, and it is then allowed to cool and solidify.

The resulting raw Shea butter is a versatile and highly valued natural ingredient that is used in a variety of skincare and haircare products due to its moisturising and nourishing properties

Watch the process in this video.

You can order our raw Shea butter collection Here