The Journey of Nilotica Shea Butter: From Tree to Skin

Nilotica shea butter is not just a product; it’s a journey that begins deep in the savannahs of Northern Uganda and South Sudan. This journey, rooted in tradition and nature, ensures that every jar of Nilotica shea butter is filled with pure, natural goodness.

Harvesting and Processing

The process of making Nilotica shea butter starts with the flowering of the shea trees from January to March. By May, the trees bear fist-sized shea fruits, which fall to the ground when ripe. These fruits are gathered by hand, mostly by women, who carefully remove the flesh to reveal the glossy shea nuts.

Once the nuts are extracted, they are sun-dried and sorted to ensure only the best quality nuts are used. The nuts are then cracked open to retrieve the kernels, which are sun-dried again to reduce moisture and increase shelf life.

Extraction Methods

Three primary methods are used to extract Nilotica shea butter:

1. Traditional Extraction: In this method, the kernels are roasted, ground, and boiled to extract the oil, resulting in a rich, nutty butter often used locally for both cooking and skincare.
2. Mechanical Extraction: Here, the kernels are ground into a coarse powder and pressed to extract the oil, yielding a butter that’s popular in regional cosmetic markets.
3. Cold Press Extraction: The most common method for international markets, cold pressing involves extracting oil from unroasted nuts, preserving the bioactive properties of the butter.

Ensuring Quality

Throughout the production process, attention to detail is crucial. From careful harvesting to proper drying and storage, every step is designed to maintain the purity and quality of Nilotica shea butter. This ensures that what reaches your skin is the very best nature has to offer.