Shea Butter Processing

This is footage of a shea butter processing spot in the region of Segou, Mali. The shea trees produce fruit during the rainy season. Workers, typically women, pick the shea nuts off the ground after they fall, which usually happens in June in Mali. The workers de-pulp the nuts, then cook them before laying the nuts out to dry. Then they use rocks to crack the shell, taking out the kernel, which actually contains the oil. They dry the kernel completely, making sure there is no mold and that the nuts are clean and light colored.

Then the workers grind the nuts, usually in a machine if available, but often by hand. The result is a dark fondu-looking substance. Next, they take the liquid and beat it for a long time until the oil separates from the water. The watery, unattractive liquid on top is skimmed off and they're left with the butter.

Good butter will be very light colored - almost white - clean, and have no smell. Even butter of this consistency will be refined further when it reaches Europe or America. Shea is harvested in much of West Africa and as far as Uganda, with most of the highest quality exported from Ghana, Burkina Faso, and the Ivory Coast.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• shea
• butter
• Mali
• Ghana
• Ivory
• women
• cosmetics
• oil
• lotion
• hand
• cream
• West
• Africa
• harvest
• income
• farm
• ripe
• nuts