Shea butter is an excellent, natural alternative to the mainstream skincare products. This is not all. We love how it is made. Our organic, unrefined Shea oil is not sold by a random corporation. This will help support a remarkable group of women from Ghana, Africa, who make a living making best Shea butter. You can find out a lot more about Shea Butter making.
Shea Butter Origins
Before we dive into the process of making Shea Butter, let's first give some background.
Shea butter, also known as "women’s golden", is a product that provides income and employment for women in 19 African countries. These countries are home of the Karite (or Shea), tree. It produces the nuts needed to make Shea butter. The nuts that this tree produces can last up to fifty years. This tree is considered a precious commodity. All of our Shea Butter comes from fair local trading in Ghana where women pick Shea nuts by themselves.
How is Shea Butter Made
A Shea butter block starts its life as a pile or nuts.
These nuts areBoilThe shell is easier to crack if it's in a large container.
After the nuts have cooled down, they can be used.Extracted from their shells. The hand-extracting process can take a lot of time and is often done in groups by women who make it a group activity.
The shells that are left behind can be used as cooking fuel and the seeds can then be cracked.Roast.
The roasted seeds can then be eaten.Mix water with itThis allows them to release their rich fats.
These extracts areBoil, then skim, and let cool The result is the Shea butter we all love.
A Family Tradition
Making Shea butter has become a family tradition for many mothers. Traditional methods are preserved by daughters whose mothers pass the knowledge on to their children. This lifestyle is a stable source of income for many West African females, even though it is hard work. BBC News offers more information.great photo seriesThis video shows how Ghanaian women make Shea nuts into butter. You can also see this videoHere's a description of the process by a woman who makes her living doing this.
In recent years, demand for Shea butter has increased. This opens up many opportunities for women in Ghana as well as across Africa. The dangers of many manufactured skincare products is being recognized. Shea butter is becoming more popular as a natural ingredient in cosmetics. Shea Butter is rich in vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids and antioxidants. The perfect base for lotions. You can order from Better Shea Butter Get a free ebook with inspiring recipes.
We are so grateful
We could not be more grateful to the women of Ghana. Making Shea butter can be difficult. We are honored to be a part the incredible work these women do. We hope you'll join us in expressing appreciation for the Shea butter's goodness and the work that goes into it.
