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Shea Butter

Also Known As : Karite butter, Beurre de Karité
Technical Name : Vitellaria paradoxa or Butyrospermum parkii

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

It has a creamy taste.

Usage Tips

  1. Shea butter should be kept in a cool place in an airtight container below room temperature so that it stays solid and is easy to spread.
  2. It can be used as cooking oil for sauteing and stir-frying. It can be spread on sandwiches, toast or pancakes as a substitute to butter or margarine.

Common names and forms

  1. Shea
  2. Shea Fat
  3. Shea Oil
  4. Vegetable oil(Shea)

Description

Shea butter is edible fat extracted from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree. It originated in Africa and specifically it comes from the so-called “African Shea Belt”. It is produced in about 21 countries but the most common sources of quality shea butter are Nigeria, Ghana and Northern Uganda. Shea butter is usually ivory in colour when it is raw and becomes white when processed. It is obtained by crushing, boiling and stirring the oil from the fruit kernel. It has a smooth, creamy consistency when refined and unrefined shea butter can sometimes feel grainy. It can be used as cooking oil as a substitute for butter, or oil.

Health benefits

  • Shea butter has a fatty acid content, including stearic, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids that restore lipids and create moisture in the skin.(1)
  • It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.(1)
  • It may also help to reduce skin redness and swelling.(1)
  • It may help sore muscles by reducing inflammation.(1)
  • It helps to alleviate nasal congestion by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages.(1)

Selection Guide

Look for the raw and unrefined version of shea butter. Also, check the smell of shea butter, it should be a little nutty or earthy.

- Disclaimer
"Information here is provided for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or product or ingredient review/rating. The information may not apply to you and before you use or take any action, you should contact the manufacturer, seller, medical, dietary, fitness or other professional. If you utilize any information provided here, you do so at your own risk and you waive any right against Culinary Communications Private Limited, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or representatives.”