Nuts
Kernel
Shea kernels are dried seed meats of Vitellaria paradoxa—intermediate goods on the path to butter, not cocktail snack nuts. Traditional and industrial butter making starts here after shelling. Clean, dry kernels free of smoke damage and mould make edible-grade fat; rancid or dirty meats cannot. Food interest centres on the butter they become, not raw kernel snacking. Women-led shea-belt collection remains culturally central.
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 50 g
- Saturated Fat 24.2 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 22.7 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 3.09 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 5.11 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 33 g
- Dietary Fibre 10 g
- Total Sugars 4 g
- Complex / starch 12 g
- Protein 8 g
- Water 6 g
- Energy 614 kcal
- Water 6 g
- Carbohydrates 33 g
- Protein 8 g
- Fat 50 g
- Saturated Fat 24.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 22.7 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 3.09 g
- Omega-3 0.25 g
- Vitamins 95.4 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.17 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.13 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.69 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.42 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.12 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 17.7 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 46.7 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 5.75 mg
- Vitamin K 5.7 µg
- Minerals 293 mg
- Major Minerals 291 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.17 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.13 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.69 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.42 · vitamin-b6: 0.12 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 17.7 · vitamin-b9-folate: 46.7 · vitamin-e: 5.75 · vitamin-k: 5.7 ·
Minerals
Shea nut kernel: fat-rich seed used primarily for butter/oil extraction.
History
Savannah societies of the shea belt processed nuts into cooking fat and skin products.
Trans-Saharan and regional trade moved shea butter as a valued African commodity.
Colonial and later industrial buyers used shea in food fats and cocoa butter equivalents.
Global cosmetic demand for shea butter soared while traditional edible use continued locally.