The kernel of the argan fruit is rich in oil © Roman Königshofer
The argan tree is one of the oldest species of tree and is only found in south-west Morocco. Its spiny branches and deep root systems make it perfectly suited to withstand long periods of drought.
"Traditionally, the production of argan oil has been a women's business. Mothers passed on the skills of cracking the nuts and of extracting the kernels to their daughters. Women then pressed the kernels with a hand mill. Men were only involved at the end of the process to sell the oil in the souks," explains Zoubida Charrouf, a chemistry professor at the University of Rabat. She understood that the growing interest for argan oil offered sustainable development opportunities for the region.
In addition to being an ecologically valuable buffer against desertification, the argan tree also has an important economic value for the local Berber community. Its leaves and fruit are eaten by goats and camels; its wood is used as fuel; and oil is pressed from the fruit's kernel.
The final goal was – and still is – to preserve the argan forest and to stop the advancing Sahara. But how do you achieve that goal? "By providing people with a decent income that is directly related to forest preservation. Major companies have discovered argan oil and partially industrialised the production. That is why a social alternative was needed to provide an income to those who do the work, i.e. the Berber women.”
This oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid and vitamin E which explains its medicinal value and its reputation as ‘Moroccan gold’ or ‘the secret of the beauty of Moroccan women'. For culinary purposes, oil is extracted from roasted kernels; for cosmetic purposes unroasted kernels are used.
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