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Shea Fruit Processing — From Shea Fruit Collection to Oil Extraction
A guide for collecting shea fruit in southern Nigeria. The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is a valuable tree that produces fruit for twenty to twenty-five years. This book explains how to select ripe fruits, how to process them, and how to extract shea butter for cosmetic use.
Beginner
2-3 days
Instructions
1
1
Understanding the Shea Tree
Understanding the Shea Tree
The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) grows 10-15 meters tall with large, sturdy leaves, thriving in the savanna zone. Its fruit resembles a small coconut with dark green skin. A single tree can bear fruit for 200 years.
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2
Waiting for the Fruiting Season
Waiting for the Fruiting Season
Shea fruits ripen between June and September (Okudu-Owewe) in southern Nigeria. Ripe fruit will fall from the tree on its own. Do not pick fruit from the tree — only fallen fruit is properly ripe.
3
3
Collecting Fallen Fruit
Collecting Fallen Fruit
Early in the morning, follow the fallen fruit under shea trees. Collect them into baskets or bags. A single tree can yield 15-20 kg of fruit per year.
Materials for this step:
Fallen Shea Fruit5 kilogramTools needed:
Woven Collection Basket4
4
Removing the Fruit Pulp
Removing the Fruit Pulp
Shea fruit has a green outer skin and sweet pulp inside. Remove the pulp from the shea nut. The shea fruit pulp is edible — it is sweet and contains vitamin C. Children often eat it.
Tools needed:
Small Knife5
5
Washing the Shea Nuts
Washing the Shea Nuts
Wash the shea nuts thoroughly in cool, clean water to remove remaining pulp and dirt. Clean water is important for preventing microbial contamination.
Materials for this step:
Clean Water10 litersTools needed:
Washing Basin6
6
Boiling the Shea Nuts
Boiling the Shea Nuts
Place the shea nuts in boiling water for 20-30 minutes. Boiling kills organisms that could cause the nuts to sprout, and softens the shell for cracking.
Materials for this step:
Water for Boiling15 litersTools needed:
Large Cooking Pot
Firewood7
7
Cooling the Boiled Nuts
Cooling the Boiled Nuts
Remove the nuts from the boiling water and spread them on a mat or rack where air can circulate. Allow them to cool for 1-2 hours.
Tools needed:
Drying Mat8
8
Cracking the Nut Shells
Cracking the Nut Shells
The shea nut shell is hard. Use a stone or mallet to crack the shells one by one. Be careful not to crush the kernel inside — the kernel is what we need. Work carefully and methodically.
Tools needed:
Flat Cracking StoneHammer Stone
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9
Extracting the Kernels from the Shells
Extracting the Kernels from the Shells
Remove the white-to-brown kernel from the cracked shell. A single shea kernel weighs approximately 5-8 grams. Set the shells aside — they can be used as fuel for cooking.
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10
Inspecting Kernels for Quality
Inspecting Kernels for Quality
A good kernel has a white-cream to light brown color. Kernels that are black or have a bad smell are spoiled — discard them. Cut a kernel in half — the inside should be cream-colored.
Tools needed:
Small Knife11
11
Spreading Kernels in the Sun to Dry
Spreading Kernels in the Sun to Dry
Spread kernels on a mat or rack in the sun. Do not pile them on top of each other. Turn them two to three times daily to ensure even drying on all sides.
Tools needed:
Drying Mat
Drying Rack12
12
Drying for 5-7 Days
Drying for 5-7 Days
Kernels need 5-7 days to dry properly in the sun. At night or during rain, collect them into a dry space. Properly dried kernels should have no more than 7% moisture content.
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13
Testing the Dried Kernels
Testing the Dried Kernels
Properly dried kernels are hard and make a sound when they hit the ground. If you break one open, the inside should be dry and firm — not moist or soft. Their weight will have reduced by approximately three-quarters.
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14
Packing the Dried Kernels into Bags
Packing the Dried Kernels into Bags
Place dried kernels into breathable burlap or jute bags. Do not use plastic bags — they trap moisture and cause kernels to spoil. Label each bag with contents and drying date.
Materials for this step:
Burlap Storage Sack2 pieces15
15
Storing Kernels in a Dry Place
Storing Kernels in a Dry Place
Place bags in a dry, cool, well-ventilated storage area. Elevate bags off the ground on pallets or raised platforms. Properly dried shea kernels can last up to 12 months without spoiling.
Tools needed:
Wooden PalletMaterials
4- 5 kilogramPlaceholder
- 10 litersPlaceholder
- 15 litersPlaceholder
- 2 piecesPlaceholder
Tools Required
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