Discover the Journey of Shea Butter:
From Shea Nuts Collection to Processing
Shea Nuts Collection
The journey begins in the vibrant landscapes of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, where the sacred shea trees thrive. These trees, cherished by local communities, bear the precious shea nuts that are the cornerstone of shea butter. The collection process is a communal effort, deeply rooted in tradition and sustainability.
Traditional Harvesting: Women from local communities expertly gather the shea nuts, a practice passed down through generations. This sustainable method ensures the preservation of the shea trees and supports the biodiversity of the region.
Handpicked Quality: Each shea nut is carefully selected by hand, ensuring only the finest quality nuts are chosen. This meticulous process guarantees that the shea butter is of the highest standard.
Shea trees and their precious nuts are central to the process, with tricycles aiding in efficiently transporting women to the fields and bringing back the harvested nut bags.
Most cooperatives are operated by women, though some men are required for more physically demanding tasks.
Empowering Communities
At Savannah Fruits Company, their commitment extends beyond producing exceptional shea butter. They are dedicated to empowering the communities they work with by promoting fair trade practices and providing sustainable livelihoods.
Fresh nuts
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The fresh nuts are carefully stored in bags to preserve their quality before further processing.
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The collected nuts are thoroughly cleaned to remove impurities.
Dried nuts
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The nuts can be sun-dried, a traditional method that utilizes natural sunlight, to reduce moisture content, a crucial step in maintaining the quality of the shea butter.
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Nuts can be dried using solar dryers, which offer a more controlled and efficient drying process.
Crushed nuts
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The dried nuts are then cracked open to reveal the kernels inside.
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These kernels are roasted to enhance the rich, nutty aroma and initiate the oil extraction process.
A SHEA BUTTER STORY
This video, filmed and edited for SFC, offers an in-depth look at the entire shea production chain, from harvesting to processing. It highlights the innovative advancements transforming the sector and the meaningful ways in which women, who play a crucial role in shea production, are being empowered. Through compelling visuals and storytelling, the video showcases both the technical progress and the human impact behind this evolving industry.
Grinding and Extraction: The roasted kernels are ground into a paste, and through traditional methods, the butter is extracted. This stage requires skill and patience, as it determines the texture and consistency of the shea butter.
Refinement and Packaging: Finally, the extracted butter is refined to remove any remaining impurities. It is then packaged, ready to be delivered to you, ensuring you receive the purest, highest-quality shea butter.