The African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) produces nuts that are used to make shea butter, a type of fat. When raw, it is ivory in colour and is frequently coloured yellow with palm oil or borutu root. It is frequently utilised as a moisturiser, salve, or lotion in cosmetics.

Shea butter can be consumed and is used in several African nations to prepare cuisine.Shea butter is occasionally substituted for cocoa butter in recipes, however the flavour is obviously different.

The Bambara word for the tree, s, is whence the term “shea” in English originates. There are numerous regional names for it, including kpakahili in Dagbani, taama in Wali, nkuto in Twi, kae or kaanya in Hausa, kwùmá in Igbo, r in Yoruba, karité in Wolof of Senegal, and ori in some parts of West Africa, among many more.