Shea Butter

Shea butter is off-white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree Vitellaria paradoxa. It is a triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid. Shea butter 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.