Shea butteris an off-white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the
nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa).Shea butter is a
triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid.
It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion.
Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in
Africa.Occasionally, the chocolate industry uses shea butter mixed
with other oils as a substitute for cocoa butter, although the
taste is noticeably different.
The English word "shea" comes from s, the tree's name in the
Bambara language of Mali.
