What is Shea?
We all know about shea Butter. I'm sure most of us have used products that contain shea butter- We all know its good for our skin, right- but why? Why is it in everything? Where does it come from? How is it sourced? I have always had these questions and finally have the answers and for those who've been wondering like me, I am here to tell you the facts and WHY it's so popular and a main ingredient in a lot of skin care products. I'm going to give you the facts that our inquisitive minds ever so crave. So lets take it to the very beginning of the process- The plant! The Shea Tree, also know as the Karite Tree, is an African-growing tree that's apart of the Sapotaceae family. They can grow anywhere from 7-15 meters and can reach up to 25 meters. It takes roughly 10-15 years for the shea tree to produce fruit and they can live up to be 300 years old! (because of their long lifespan these trees end up becoming generational and passed down through the family). You'd be able to find this tree growing in Senegal, and stretching all the way to Ethiopia and Uganda.Because of the dry and hot climate, the Shea Tree has thick, cork-like bark which act as a barrier to keep it protected from the harsh element's. The leaves are oblong, thick, and clustered at the ends of the stout branches, and at full maturity the leaves will turn from a reddish to a deep, glossy green. The Flowers are a creamy white/yellow that appear during the dry season and are a vital source of nectar for Honeybees. The fruit is green and fleshy and almost looks like a plum. The pulp is sweet and edible but the Kernel is where we get out shea butter from. It's a hard round nut that's rich in fat.