Shea Nuts
Shea nut is not very well known in Sweden, but in Africa the nut fat has been used in cooking for thousands of years. The tree grows freely on the savannah, without fertilizer or chemical pesticides, and is an important source of income for many women in Africa.
The nuts of the tree are high in fat and are harvested for the production of shea butter, which is included in many in the trade common foods as well as in cosmetics.
The shea nut tree is considered sacred in Africa, and traditionally only women are allowed to collect and process shea nuts.
Shea butter is used in Africa and Japan in the same way that Europeans use regular butter.
Shea oil is used as cooking oil, for the manufacture of soap, fuel in lanterns, skin care, hair care and as a lubricant.
Some parts of the sheanut tree are used as herbal remedies.