Shea butter is graded from A downward, where Grade A is raw and unrefined with its natural color, scent, and actives intact, Grade B is refined, and Grade C is highly refined. For most natural brands, Grade A is the one to buy. This guide explains what the grades mean and how to choose for bulk.
Last updated: 2026.
How shea butter grading works
The grade describes how processed the butter is, and how much of its natural character survives. Grade A is raw, unrefined butter that keeps the ivory color, nutty scent, and natural actives, while lower grades are progressively refined and bleached, trading character for neutrality. As the grade drops, you lose more of what made shea worth buying.
| Grade | Processing | Color & scent | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (raw / unrefined) | Stone-ground, minimal | Ivory, natural nutty | Natural brands, balms, body butter |
| B (refined) | Partially refined | Lighter, reduced scent | Formulas needing less odor |
| C (highly refined) | Heavily refined, bleached | White, neutral | Scent-free, color-sensitive formulas |
What Grade A gives you
Grade A is unrefined shea with its natural properties intact, which is why it is the standard for natural and clean-label brands. The ivory color and nutty aroma signal an authentic, minimally processed product, and the unsaponifiable fraction that gives shea much of its character survives because the butter is not heavily processed or bleached. Our shea is Grade A, stone-ground and hexane-free, from Vitellaria paradoxa.
When lower grades make sense
Choose Grade B or C only when your formula genuinely needs reduced scent or a whiter color, for example in a delicately fragranced or bright-white product. The trade-off is that refining strips character and some actives, so if you are buying shea mainly to neutralize it, reconsider whether shea is the right base.
Grade is not the same as food vs cosmetic grade
Keep two ideas separate: the A/B/C quality grade describes refinement, while food grade versus cosmetic grade describes the testing specification for your use. You decide both, because a Grade A butter can be supplied to a food or a cosmetic specification. Our grade guide covers that second distinction.
What to confirm on the COA
Whatever grade you buy, confirm a per-batch certificate of analysis covering microbiology, heavy metals, and pesticide residue, with thresholds set by your food or cosmetic specification. The COA is how you verify the grade you ordered is the grade you received.
Frequently asked questions
What is Grade A shea butter?
Raw, unrefined shea with its natural ivory color, nutty scent, and actives intact. It is the highest-quality grade and the standard choice for natural and clean-label brands.
Is Grade A or refined shea better?
For natural positioning, Grade A is better because it keeps the character customers expect. Refined Grade B or C is only better when you specifically need reduced scent or a whiter color.
Does the A/B/C grade tell me if shea is food or cosmetic grade?
No. The A/B/C grade describes refinement, while food grade versus cosmetic grade describes the testing specification. You specify both when you order.
For natural brands, Grade A unrefined shea is almost always the right call. Buy Grade A, decide your food or cosmetic specification, and confirm it on the COA. See specifications and tier pricing on our wholesale raw shea butter page.