FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It says you get the whole gourd, I'm just curious to know, am I getting the shea butter itself or a gourd? Also, will 50 pounds be shipped in one box?

The gourd weighs maybe a pound and is shipped all in one box. The weights of the gourds vary, so if I find that it is 42 lbs, I will put the remainder in a bag all in one box. Remember, if you get a box full of shea butter, it has been melted and poured in there. I am giving you the raw shea fresh out the shell. Please understand that most gourds are damaged during shipping to the U.S. We cannot guarantee that the gourd will not be cracked as most of them are broken during the long trip overseas and through customs.

I just got the shea butter and it has a strong odor like burnt wood is this normal?

Shea butter smells very nutty! It can smell like a barn, burnt wood, or just like cooked nuts. Just as the colors vary, so do the smells. Some people don't mind the smell, but that is totally subjective.

Does it have expiration date?

Yes it does. If shea butter is stored properly, i.e. in an airtight container or sealed bag, it can last up to 2 years.

Since you don't do anything with the Shea butter, should I "process" it or is it okay without me doing anything?

Shea butter is just fine in it's natural state. If you don't like the smell, I would suggest "processing" it. If you don't mind, I wouldn't do anything at all to it as shea butter starts to lose it's properties when you start adding stuff. Check out my Articles & Tips page for suggestions on what to do with your shea.

There are certain areas that are dark that I'm going to do as you say with the microwave and handiwipe but should I do that to all of it? I thought I read in your description that it's best to have it raw to keep all the nutrients in it. I did notice the texture is a little bit grittier than the last shea butter I ordered from a different vendor...is that okay?

The areas that are dark come from being stored in the gourd. The women handpack the shea into the gourds and sometimes even the paper that is wrapped around it stains the butter. I try to clean most of it off before shipping, but I may miss a few spots. This is perfectly ok to use. Raw shea is best when it's not processed. I have found that many competitors melt and strain their shea. As far as the texture, it depends on the shea that you get. Since the colors vary, so do the textures. I have found that the really yellow can be gritty or really creamy, and it's usually a bit greasier. Yellow is excellent for people with severely dry skin and psoriasis.The off-white can vary as well (see below question). Remember, this is a handmade product!

What is the difference between off-white and yellow? What makes the yellow, yellow and the off-white, off-white?

The difference in colors depend on the nut. The shea nut can be olive, off-white, really white, pale yellow or really yellow. There is yellow that is that color because it is machine pressed, and there is yellow that is handmade and is just that color. This is a natural product so the colors do vary, it's nature! The shea butter that comes from Togo is always yellow since that is the color the tree produces. Some manufacturers would have you believe that yellow shea has palm oil or turmeric added. This is simply not true.

Can the 40 lbs shea be stored in the gourd it comes in? Any tips to keep the butter fresh in a heated home?

I would suggest that you keep the gourd in a large tub that has an airtight container. Don't let your shea get to hot or it will melt!

My shea butter melted! What do I do?

Remember that shea butter has a high melting point. When kept at room temperature, the butter will melt on skin contact. So, if it is kept in a room that is too warm, it will melt. During the summer months, try to keep your shea as cool as possible. If your shea melts, it's not a bad thing, just let it refirm and it's good to go!
 
Is your shea butter certified organic and fairly traded?

  We import tens of thousands of gourds directly from West Africa. It is brought here on a container and takes its time through US Customs. Sampling each one of these gourds of shea would have an astronomical cost and each one is made differently. We would not be honest carrying a certification for all of our shea unless each gourd is sampled. Certifying shea butter is only keeping this product to American standards of certification. This shea butter is 100% pure and organic. Those that are knowledgeable about shea butter will know this is pure. Other companies boast about their shea, but they usually have melted, added palm oil or done something else to it to provide consistent shea. We can only promise you that you are receiving 100% pure raw shea, and our customers will agree!

Although we don't participate in the Fair Trade process, our suppliers are from Kenya. Their families are in Ghana and there is a direct relationship, not a middle man. Our supplier not only sends money, but regularly visits and keeps a close connection to the women that produce this shea.

Please check back for more questions or ask one and we will post it here!