Tag: Cooking with shea butter

Globally, palm oil supplies around 40% of the world's vegetable oil demand, occupying a relatively small percentage of agricultural land compared to other oil crops. However, the environmental and social impacts of its production have spurred a search for alternatives. This guide will assess whether shea butter can replace palm oil, weighing factors like functionality, sustainability, and cost.

For centuries, shea butter has been a staple in West African cooking, used as a traditional fat for frying and flavoring. This rich, versatile ingredient isn't just a skincare powerhouse; when processed correctly, it's also a surprisingly safe and nutritious addition to many diets.

For centuries, shea butter has been used in West African cuisine as a cooking oil and food ingredient. While many in Western countries know it primarily as a cosmetic product, pure, unrefined shea nut butter is indeed edible, offering a rich, nutty flavor to a variety of dishes. However, it is crucial to understand the difference between culinary-grade shea butter and the chemically processed versions used in cosmetics.

According to WebMD, shea butter is “LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods,” confirming that yes, a person can eat shea butter, but with important considerations. While known primarily for cosmetic purposes, this fatty substance derived from the nut of the African shea tree has a long history of use in food across Africa.

For centuries, shea butter has been used as a traditional cooking fat in West African cuisine, providing a rich, nutty flavour to various dishes. This practice raises a common question for many: can shea butter be used internally, and what are the specific considerations for safe consumption?

In West African cuisine, shea butter is often used as a traditional cooking oil, suggesting its edibility in certain forms. This practice raises a common question for those outside the region: is it safe to drink shea butter, or to consume it in other ways?