Morocco’s Argan Oil: A Treasure for Healing and Nutrition
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Argan oil, often dubbed Morocco’s liquid gold, is a precious product derived from the nuts of the argan tree, Argania spinosa. Known locally as "the blessed tree" with a hundred virtues, argan oil is renowned for its culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal uses due to its high content of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids like Omega 6 and Omega 9.
The Argan Tree
The argan tree, a member of the Sapotaceae family, is native to Morocco, particularly the Souss Plain in the south. This region includes the provinces of Souss-Massa, Marrakech, Safi, and Guelmim-Oued Noun, which are characterized by their dry climate. While the argan tree also grows sparsely in parts of Algeria and has been introduced to countries like the USA, Mexico, Kuwait, and Israel, these efforts have not been very successful.
Argan trees are adapted to harsh environments and can live for over 200 years, thriving in arid and semi-arid regions with scarce water, erosion risks, and poor soil. They are among the oldest trees in Morocco, with a history dating back over 1500 years. The argan tree plays a crucial role in maintaining Morocco’s ecosystems by preventing soil erosion and fertilizing the land.
Harvesting and Processing Argan Oil
Argan fruits are oval-shaped, about 3 cm in size, and change color from yellow to brown when ripe. Inside each fruit is a hard nut containing an almond-like kernel. When the fruit falls to the ground, livestock often consume the outer flesh, leaving the hard nuts behind. These nuts are collected, cracked open to extract the kernels, and then ground to produce the oil.
The extraction process is labor-intensive. It starts with harvesting and sun-drying the fruits, followed by manually peeling the outer layer with smooth stones to access the inner nuts. The nuts are then ground with a traditional millstone, creating a paste that is mixed with hot water to extract the oil. For culinary use, the nuts are roasted before grinding to impart a unique flavor, whereas for cosmetic oil, they are processed without roasting.
To produce one liter of edible argan oil, about 40 kilograms of argan fruits are required. For cosmetic oil, even more fruit is needed due to the unroasted nuts, which affects the yield. The remaining fruit residue is used as animal feed or for fuel.
Economic and Social Impact
Producing argan oil is a significant economic activity for rural women in Morocco, who prepare the oil for both household use and natural remedies. Women’s cooperatives have become crucial in this sector, producing and marketing argan oil to international cosmetic companies, particularly from France. Moroccan efforts to support these cooperatives have provided income and improved the social status of women in these areas.
Health Benefits of Argan Oil
Argan oil gained global recognition for its health benefits in the late 1990s. It is known for its positive effects on cardiovascular health by helping regulate blood pressure, plasma lipids, and antioxidant levels. It also has anti-coagulant properties, which help reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease.
Studies have shown that argan oil is high in tocopherols and squalenes, which may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and offer excellent antioxidant protection. In cosmetics, argan oil is effective in treating hair loss and strengthening hair, as well as in managing various skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and stretch marks. It is also known for its anti-aging properties, nourishing and rejuvenating the skin.
Global Recognition
The argan tree and its oil have received significant international recognition. In 1998, UNESCO designated the argan tree area in southwestern Morocco as a protected biosphere reserve. In 2014, UNESCO included the traditional knowledge related to the argan tree in its intangible cultural heritage list. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognized the argan agro-ecosystem as a globally significant agricultural heritage system in 2018. Furthermore, in 2021, the United Nations declared May 10th as International Argan Tree Day, a decision supported by 113 UN member states.
Conservation Efforts
Morocco has made considerable efforts to conserve and promote the argan tree. The National Agency for the Development of Oasis Areas and Argan Tree (ANDZOA) was established in 2010 to oversee this sector. Under the Green Morocco Plan, the government aims to rehabilitate 150,000 hectares of argan forest and increase production to 1,200 tons of argan oil by 2021.
The second phase of the plan, "Generation New," from 2021 to 2030, focuses on rehabilitating 400,000 hectares and expanding cultivation by 50,000 hectares. Investments of 2.8 billion dirhams have been allocated to these efforts, to increase production to 10,000 tons by 2020.
Traditional Uses
In the Souss region, the Berber tribes use argan oil in traditional cooking, such as in the preparation of Amlou, a thick, brown mixture made by cooking argan oil, almonds, and honey. This delicacy is a symbol of hospitality and is often served to guests or during traditional breakfasts with bread and mint tea.
Argan Oil by the Numbers
Rehabilitated Areas: 146,000 hectares (2012-2019)
Production Volume: 5,640 tons (2019)
Export Volume: 1,348 tons (2019)
Export Value: 273 million dirhams (2019)
Turnover: 1,139 million dirhams (2019)
Argan oil continues to be a vital element of Moroccan heritage, combining tradition with modern applications, and contributing significantly to both local economies and global markets.