Beauty Out of Africa

Shea Nuts to Shea Butter – Washing

After the nuts are boiled the hard outer shell is cracked to extract the shea kernel. Kernels that are extracted directly out of the nut do not need to be washed. Some experts insist that the nuts be washed even when they are freshly removed from the shell. We observed this process in Bida, Nigeria with Dr Lovett.

Dr Lovett is of the opinion that considering how hard it is for local women to find clean water to drink and for personal use, it makes no sense to add an additional burden of rewashing nuts that are already clean. I thought that made a lot of sense in the particular case we were observing. If nuts are handled properly during the shelling process, the need to wash the nuts is minimal.

Shea Nuts to Shea Butter – Washing

After the nuts are boiled the hard outer shell is cracked to extract the shea kernel. Kernels that are extracted directly out of the nut do not need to be washed. Some experts insist that the nuts be washed even when they are freshly removed from the shell. We observed this process in Bida, Nigeria with Dr Lovett.

Dr Lovett is of the opinion that considering how hard it is for local women to find clean water to drink and for personal use, it makes no sense to add an additional burden of rewashing nuts that are already clean. I thought that made a lot of sense in the particular case we were observing. If nuts are handled properly during the shelling process, the need to wash the nuts is minimal.

USAID/WATH support Shea Butter Coops in Nigeria

We had the wonderful priviledge of having the USAID/WATH Shea Butter Expert, Dr Peter Lovett and his team visit the Chibiri Shea Butter production center to conduct training. Dr Lovett confirms that these women are already experts at producing Shea Butter, his job is to observe and to make recommendations on how they can improve their process in order to produce a higher quality product.

We receive a warm welcome from the Women at Chibiri

Training begins as Dr Lovett, Funalyo and Salom observe current production process by the Women

Front and center: Kafui (USAID/WATH), Rose, Uche
Back row: Yemi (Leader Oyo State Ipapo Womens Cooperatives), Trainer, Shola and Funlayo, Dr Lovett, Trainers and Salome on far right.

The Shea Butter Trainers pose with Dr Lovett. These women have labored tirelessly to organize the cooperatives and teach them the best way to process their butter so that it meets international standards

USAID/WATH support Shea Butter Coops in Nigeria

We had the wonderful priviledge of having the USAID/WATH Shea Butter Expert, Dr Peter Lovett and his team visit the Chibiri Shea Butter production center to conduct training. Dr Lovett confirms that these women are already experts at producing Shea Butter, his job is to observe and to make recommendations on how they can improve their process in order to produce a higher quality product.

We receive a warm welcome from the Women at Chibiri

Training begins as Dr Lovett, Funalyo and Salom observe current production process by the Women

Front and center: Kafui (USAID/WATH), Rose, Uche
Back row: Yemi (Leader Oyo State Ipapo Womens Cooperatives), Trainer, Shola and Funlayo, Dr Lovett, Trainers and Salome on far right.

The Shea Butter Trainers pose with Dr Lovett. These women have labored tirelessly to organize the cooperatives and teach them the best way to process their butter so that it meets international standards

Shea Butter Conference in West Africa

We just got back from a week long visit to Nigeria attending a Workshop on Shea Butter financing in Nigeria. It was a wonderful event and we got to meet many of the participants in the Shea Butter business. We had a wonderful time learning and sharing information with Dr Peter Lovett, Shea Butter, Technical Consultant for USAID/ West African Trade Hub (WATH).

Peter Lovett, Funlayo and Shola Alabi

We spent several days after the workshop with Dr Lovett, traveling to shea butter production sites observing the shea producers. Dr Lovett conducted training with the women to help increase the quality goals in order to meet international standards.

Discussing the pros and cons of washing shea nuts. Can the quality of butter be compromised by washing too much?

Shola observes as Peter Lovett gives input

Shea Butter Conference in West Africa

We just got back from a week long visit to Nigeria attending a Workshop on Shea Butter financing in Nigeria. It was a wonderful event and we got to meet many of the participants in the Shea Butter business. We had a wonderful time learning and sharing information with Dr Peter Lovett, Shea Butter, Technical Consultant for USAID/ West African Trade Hub (WATH).

Peter Lovett, Funlayo and Shola Alabi

We spent several days after the workshop with Dr Lovett, traveling to shea butter production sites observing the shea producers. Dr Lovett conducted training with the women to help increase the quality goals in order to meet international standards.

Discussing the pros and cons of washing shea nuts. Can the quality of butter be compromised by washing too much?

Shola observes as Peter Lovett gives input