Alicia is a writer, photographer, and social entrepreneur specializing in sustainable travel, wildlife and nature conservation, and environmentally friendly agriculture and eating. She holds an M.S.

The fruit of the shea tree has long been considered sacred by many in Western Africa because of its myriad health benefits. But now growing demand among Western consumers for the fruit, known as ...

There is growing investment in processing facilities in Nigeria. This is expected to have an effect on the trade dynamics of shea products in West Africa. There is a general trend of moving from ...

An curved arrow pointing right. When you hear "shea butter," you probably think of the West African kind. But in East Africa, a different variety of shea nut grows, called nilotica. It's easier to ...

Shea butter and its derivatives are growing with their attendant health benefits. Its extensive use in cosmetics, health products, confectionery and chocolate industry is assuming a new dimension with ...

Shea butter has become a highly sought-after ingredient in cosmetics and food manufacturing worldwide. Since the early 2000s its use as a substitute for cocoa butter has driven a dramatic rise in ...