Yellow Brick Road Shea Butter 1lb - 100% Raw Unrefined African Grade A Ivory

Product Description: Long Ago, Shea Butter has a rich history in Africa, being used for various purposes, including beauty, since ancient times. During Cleopatra's reign in ancient Egypt, she used it for skin and hair care, reportedly receiving it in large clay pots. Queen Sheba is also believed to have used Shea Butter. The exact origin of Shea is unclear due to changes in vegetation and continuous semi-domestication. However, in 2016, archaeologists discovered Shea nut shells in houses in Burkina Faso dating back to 100 CE, providing evidence of its historical use. The trade in Shea Butter can be traced back around 4300 years ago to ancient Egypt, with documented records of its trade by explorers during the periods of 1352-1353 and 1795-1797.

Where is it produced: Shea trees have a height ranging from 33 to 49 feet and exhibit a well-branched, circular growth pattern. The bark of these trees is thick and spongy, providing protection against wildfires that frequently occur and cause damage to the surrounding vegetation. After approximately ten to fifteen years, the trees start bearing fruit, reaching their peak productivity at around 20 years and continuing to produce nuts for up to 200 years. The Shea fruits undergo a development and ripening process lasting four to six months, following the blooming of the trees with creamy white petals that last for a month or two. As they mature, the green fruits transition to a rich brown color. On average, each tree yields 30 to 45 pounds of fruit per year.

The Right Season: Shea nuts are collected during the rainy season, which spans from May to August, when food supplies are scarce. This process involves several days of careful selection, gathering, drying, pounding, and kneading.

The Credit goes to: Shea nuts are gathered and processed using traditional methods that have been practiced for thousands of years. Ripe Shea fruits naturally fall from the trees and are collected early in the morning by local women, often with the help of children before school. Women across Africa, often working together in groups, have embraced the production of Shea Butter as a means to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The popularity of Shea Butter has grown worldwide, thanks to the dedicated work of these women.

Production Methods: There are two different methods utilized for processing Shea Butter: crushing and solvent extraction. The solvent extraction method involves using hexane as a solvent to extract the majority of the fatty components. This technique is advantageous as it enables the extraction of the highest proportion of fatty acids and is also cost-effective, especially in the chocolate industry.

It's a Family Thing: Numerous households across West Africa have their own unique methods of procuring Shea Butter, a tradition that has endured through many generations. In most homes, the basic process remains similar. It begins with selecting Shea nuts, cracking, roasting, and grounding them. The mixture is then boiled in water for several hours until the Shea Butter floats to the top. The substance is gathered into gourds where it cools and solidifies. Although this method may not yield large quantities of Shea Butter, it remains favored for its natural, chemical-free extraction process.

Did you know: The shells left over from the procedure are utilized as cooking fuel, while the seeds are cracked and roasted.

The Vital Importance: Women's participation in the Shea Butter industry significantly bolsters their economic stature, enabling them to make vital decisions and investments concerning their lives, families, and communities. Shea Butter serves as a critical employment and income source for women in rural areas, supporting essential expenses like household bills, education fees, and infrastructure development. This involvement fosters a sense of independence and empowerment by enabling women to make decisions autonomously. Shea Butter hubs have also established a space for women to share ideas and uplift their lives and initiatives.

Shea Butter Highlights: Shea Butter proves particularly useful during the winter months as a wonderful moisturizer. Unrefined Shea Butter has an ivory color that may vary with each crop. It can be combined with other natural ingredients to make DIY lotions, body butters, and more.

Trust us for your raw unrefined Shea Butter: Yellow Brick Road Shea Butter, derived entirely from pure, raw, and unrefined Shea nuts, offers an affordable touch of luxury.

What Happens: Raw unrefined Shea Butter is a natural substance extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree, predominantly found in West Africa. It is in its purest form, devoid of any refining or bleaching process. Its unique, rich texture is typically creamy or ivory-colored, sometimes exhibiting a slightly yellowish hue. Notable for its characteristic nutty aroma, raw unrefined Shea Butter is widely appreciated in various applications.

A Tip: I keep this heavenly butter in a mason jar in my bathroom and apply it to my skin before using it on my hair.

Trust the thousands of satisfied customers that have made Yellow Brick Road one of the most loved Shea Butter brands. Custom orders, ranging from 1lb to a truckload, are accepted and welcomed through Amazon. Simply contact us at Yellow Brick Road, and we will set up the entire thing for you.

Pure and Natural: Yellow Brick Road 100% Raw Unrefined Shea Butter is a premium Grade A Ivory product sourced directly from Africa, ensuring its utmost authenticity and purity.

Unrefined and Chemical-Free: Our Shea Butter is completely raw and unrefined, meaning no chemicals, additives, or artificial fragrances are used during its production, preserving its natural state.

Suitable for DIY Projects: The butter's natural, unrefined state makes it perfect for those who enjoy DIY projects.

Sustainable and Ethical: We ensure that our Shea Butter is responsibly sourced, and the production process is both sustainable and ethical.

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