sheanut
Sheanut, also known as karité or shea, is the fruit of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), which is native to West Africa. The nuts from this tree are rich in fats and are commonly processed to produce shea butter, a popular ingredient in cosmetics and skincare products due to its moisturizing properties.
The sheanut is harvested by hand, and the extraction process involves drying, crushing, and boiling the nuts to separate the fat. This natural fat is not only used in beauty products but also in cooking and traditional medicine, making sheanut an important resource for many communities in its native regions.