Description

Shea butteris an off-white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa).Shea butter is a triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion. Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in Africa.Occasionally, the chocolate industry uses shea butter mixed with other oils as a substitute for cocoa butter, although the taste is noticeably different.



The English word "shea" comes from s, the tree's name in the Bambara language of Mali.