The argan tree grows in only one place in the world: southwestern Morocco. Since time immemorial, Berber women have been extracting a liter of the precious oil from around 30 kilos of fruit from the argan trees in 12 hours of painstaking work. Argan oil is used in upscale cuisine, but also in medicine and cosmetics. We inform you about the effect and production of argan oil and give tips for use.
What is argan oil?
Unlike the olive, the oil of the argan tree can not be pressed from the fruit – every attempt remains unsuccessful. For this reason, the argan seeds are collected and processed into oil in true backbreaking work. Even harvesting the fruit is not easy, as the trees have a very brittle wood and are covered with thorns. The Berbers therefore wait until the fruit falls from the trees. Sometimes there is a rumor among tourists that they drive their goats, which eat the fruit, into the trees and – after they have excreted the seeds intact – they collect and open the seeds. The typical smell speaks for this: Argan oil sometimes smells slightly “musty” of goat. Depending on the product, however, this smell can vary in intensity or be masked. Each fruit contains two to three almonds, which are traditionally roasted to refine the flavor. They are then ground by hand and kneaded with the help of boiled water. Only from this pulp is then pressed the argan oil.
Modern production of argan oil
In a modern manufacturing process, argan oil is also produced by machine. In this process, contact with water is avoided and the argan seeds are not roasted. The machine-produced argan oil is sold in Germany under the name “cold-pressed”. Despite modern technology, the classic production of argan oil is becoming popular again; not least because entire families live from the laborious production by hand. Both argan oil produced in the classical way in Morocco and argan oil produced by machine comply with EU guidelines for quality and hygiene and also allow the gentle production of organic argan oil; moreover, the production process of argan oil has no effect on its stability or shelf life.
Argan oil in gastronomy
Both cold-pressed and classically produced argan oil are equally suitable for direct consumption and for use in the kitchen. Argan oil is a gourmet cooking oil for the most demanding gastronomy. Celebrity chefs quickly realized: argan oil plays in the same league as truffles or caviar. This is also reflected in the price of the oil: one liter costs around 60 euros. As a cooking oil, argan oil adds a refined flavor to salads, vegetable, fish and meat dishes and is extremely healthy due to its natural composition.
Argan oil for skin and hair
Cold-pressed argan oil is mostly used for cosmetics. Argan oil has an exquisite effect as a care product for skin and hair. It soothes damaged, sensitive as well as impure skin due to its high-quality ingredients. Argan oil also has a moisturizing effect and thus prevents dehydration and aging of the skin. The oil of the argan tree also helps the hair and is particularly suitable for hair care for brittle, dry hair.
Effect and use in medicine
However, argan oil is not only tasty, but also very healthy. The reason: argan oil differs from many other oils by its valuable ingredients. Thus, the oil has one of the highest concentrations of essential fatty acids (over 80 percent) – mainly linoleic acid and oleic acid. Furthermore, there is a high proportion of natural antioxidants to protect against harmful free radicals. Argan oil, for example, is unusually rich in alpha-tocopherol, which has the strongest vitamin E activity. Of particular interest to scientists are the sterols contained in argan oil, such as schottenol and also spinasterol. The Berbers of Morocco have long used the oil for medicinal purposes, for example to treat stomach and intestinal problems, heart and circulatory problems, but also for sunburn or to disinfect wounds. Traditional medicine knows the use of argan oil for acne, chicken pox, neurodermatitis, rheumatism, joint pain and hemorrhoids.
The argan tree
The argan tree (Latin: Argania spinosa) is one of the oldest trees in the world and is threatened with extinction.Because it only grows in Morocco and because of its existential importance for the people of the region, UNESCO has now declared the area a biosphere reserve. The argan tree is the “tree of life” for the inhabitants. It provides people with timber, fuel, food and argan oil, which is considered one of the most valuable foods in the world.
