Is This Unrefined Shea Butter??? (photos)

[LegsLegsLegs]

I bought "100% Natural African Shea Butter" on Amazon & it smells like play doh. I'm also not sure why it looks like there are craters at the top. It melts quickly when I rub it.
I never have really used Shea butter so I don't know how unrefined raw Shea butter is supposed to look/smell/feel.
If the Shea butter I have isn't unrefined/raw, where can I get some?

 

[crlsweetie912]

looks normal to me.
It was probably whipped some, so the craters look like air bubbles escaping.

 

[lilikoi]

I have a smaller tub of the same brand. The smell you describe applies. I whipper half of mine in a small food processor. That made it a lot easier to use. Enjoy it!

 

[Daina]

Definitely looks normal and playdoh smell is a very good description.

 

[Misseyl]

I thought shea butter is normally cream in color not yellow.

 

[Chicoro]

I thought shea butter is normally cream in color not yellow.

There are different kinds. It may depend on the country of origin.

 

[Bibliophile]

@LegsLegsLegs

From your description it looks like yellow shea butter from West Africa. Yellow shea butter has a medicinal root (borututu) added.
Shea Nilotica (East African Shea Butter) is softer and more expensive than its West African counterpart. Both have a scent (ranges from Play doh to roasted nuts).

Kpangnan butter (African Butter/River Butter) is also yellow and softer than shea butter. It melts immediately upon contact. It is also cheaper than shea butter.

Description of Shea vs. Kpangnam butters from Agbanga Karite (Makers of Alaffia products )
http://www.agbangakarite.com/info_goldenshea.php
http://www.agbangakarite.com/shea_faq.php

Youtube video comparison of Shea Butter types

 

[naturalpride]

It looks like kokum butter to me. Sometimes people call that shea butter.

 

[CodeRed]

This seems to be something that people are always debating online... what's real and what's not. I think Chicoro and Bibliophile are correct.

 

[Bunnyhaslonghair]

Yea