Nuts

Butter

Shea butter is the semi-solid fat that defines shea in kitchens and trade—not a ground snack-nut spread in the peanut-butter sense. Edible grades taste mild and fatty, enriching West African soups, frying, and some food-industry blends. Much global retail shea is cosmetic only—buy food-labelled butter for cooking. Melt gently; scorching turns the fat soapy and bitter. Store cool and sealed. Good edible butter smells clean and mild. Women- led traditional processing remains culturally central along the shea belt.

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Characteristics

Preparations

Cooked Into SaucesFreshMeltedSoftenedWhipped

Traits

EmulsifiedRichSpreadable

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 589

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 54.6 g
Saturated Fat 6.92 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 27.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.2 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 4.84 mg
Salt 0.01 g
Total Carbohydrate 17 g
Dietary Fibre 7.59 g
Total Sugars 4.06 g
Complex / starch 5.05 g
Protein 18.6 g
Water 4.01 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 589 kcal
Water 4.01 g
Carbohydrates 17 g
- Sugars 4.06 g
- Starch 5.05 g
- Fibre 7.59 g
Protein 18.6 g
Fat 54.6 g
- Saturated Fat 6.92 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 27.2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 14.2 g
  - Omega-3 1.42 g
Vitamins 86.8 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.22 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.16 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 2.13 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.53 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.16 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 15.5 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 41.1 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 5.03 mg
- Vitamin K 5 µg
Minerals 354 mg
- Major Minerals 353 mg
  - Calcium 34 mg
  - Sodium 4.84 mg
  - Potassium 314 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
  - Iron 1.5 mg
Salt 0.01 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.22 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.16 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 2.13 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.53 · vitamin-b6: 0.16 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 15.5 · vitamin-b9-folate: 41.1 · vitamin-e: 5.03 · vitamin-k: 5 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 4.84 · Potassium: 314 · Calcium: 34 · Iron: 1.5 ·

Butter of Shea Nut: composition reflects this culinary part relative to the whole ingredient.

History

1000

Pounded shea intermediates are part of butter making rather than marzipan-style pastes.

2000

Food-grade shea pastes remain secondary to butter blocks and cosmetic butters.