Shea nuts

Vitellaria paradoxa

nuts & seeds

Kernels of the shea nut, the “butter tree” of the African savannahs, from which shea butter is made, a cooking fat of the Sahel.

Origin

Savannas of West Africa

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The kernel is not eaten as is: dried, ground and churned, it yields shea butter, used like a cooking oil or as the fat in sauces.

Did you know?

It is called “women's gold”; its French name comes from the Wolof kaarite, borrowed from the Soninke xarite, “shea butter”.