Shea Butter's Journey from Africa and Its New Home

Our Shea Butter makes a long journey all the way from Africa in a lightweight plastic bag. This mode of packaging is the most practical for shipping - glass containers can be heavy and risk breaking, while metal tins can get too hot, leading to melted Shea butter. But once your Shea butter arrives at your home, it's eager for a cozy upgrade.

Best Way to Store Raw Shea Butter 

Wondering how to store raw Shea butter? We've got the answer: transfer it into a chic glass jar. This step isn't just about giving it a classy new look; a glass jar makes accessing the Shea butter easy and also helps maintain its freshness while keeping it free from contaminants.

Should Shea Butter Be Kept in the Fridge?

You may be wondering if refrigeration is a good option for storing your Shea butter. While it's an option, keep in mind that Shea butter hardens in the cold. If you have a large quantity of Shea butter, it might be practical to refrigerate the portion you're not using daily. However, the key to preserving your Shea butter's integrity is keeping it away from direct sun and heat. Room temperature around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) is perfectly fine for your everyday supply.

The Golden Rules of Storing Raw Shea Butter

Follow these tips to make sure that your unrefined Shea butter retains its legendary moisturizing properties:

• It's advisable to use a clean spoon (wooden or otherwise) to scoop out your unrefined Shea butter, rather than using your fingers. This practice helps avoid the introduction of bacteria and contaminants, especially if you're planning to use the butter over a long period.
• Always keep Shea butter covered to prevent exposure to air and contaminants.
• Avoid exposing your Shea butter to hot temperatures or sunlight. For instance, leaving it in your car could cause it to melt!
• Store your Shea butter in a cool place, ideally at a temperature between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius (50-68 degrees Fahrenheit).
• While refrigeration can prolong its life, it will harden due to the cold.
• If you're combining Shea butter with other products, aim to use the mixture within 6 months.
• When melting your raw Shea butter, do so gently and avoid overheating it. It's best to refrain from repeated melting, as this can lead to a loss of nutrients.
• To extend the shelf life of your homemade Shea butter creations, you can add natural preservatives, such as vitamin E. Not only does this prolong its usability, but it also enhances its skin nourishing properties.

In summary, unrefined Shea butter is a very stable plant fat, so no worries about it going rancid. Just store it in a dry and cool place and your Shea butter can last for years.

If your Shea butter accidentally melts and turns grainy, don't worry! Fixing grainy Shea butter is a breeze. Check out our post on "How to Fix Grainy Shea Butter" here.