Pure, natural, unrefined shea butter
Simply Body Products is proud to support Fair Trade.  The
shea butter I import is from the West African countries of
Togo and Ghana.  I import only pure, unrefined shea butter
that is produced by the local women in the traditional
method.  Shea butter is produced from the nuts of the karite
tree.  These nuts are gathered by the local women and
carried, usually many miles, back to the village.  The nuts
are washed and then spread in the sun to dry.  Once
completely dry, the shells are hand cracked to get to the nut
inside.  The nuts are then ground into a fine powder.  Water
is added to the powder, and  long stirring process begins.  
The stirring causes the oil from the nuts to separate out.  
This oil is then removed from the mixture and is placed in
large pots to be stirred again.  This long stirring process
eventually causes the oil to crystalliize into the finished,
unrefined shea butter.  
The production of shea butter is a very labor intensive
process, yet is undervalued as an economic contribution by
these women.  In some cases, these women are paid very
little for their hard work.  By purchasing Fair Trade shea
butter, I am ensuring that these women receive fair pay for
their work.  The company I import the butter from pays the
women up to three times the average pay for this work.  This
company also supports many community activities including
providing text books for the public schools and fabric for
school uniforms.  By importing this butter, I am supporting
these activities, and by purchasing my products made from
this butter, you are supporting this effort as well!  Thank you
for your interest .
Fair Trade Shea Butter
Support Fair Trade in West Africa