Popular in the modern market, Argan Oil is a plant oil made from Argan tree kernels.
These trees are found mostly in Morocco and locals have been extracting the oil for years, using it mainly for dipping bread or drizzling over pasta and couscous.
What is Argan Oil made of?
Taken from the small fruit of the Argan tree, the oil is extracted from the pulp and hard shell. In order to extract the oil, the fruit is first dried out in open air. After this, the nut is cracked in order to reach the kernels, mostly being done by hand.
When making culinary oil, workers will roast the kernels, wait for them to cool and then grind or press them.
This mash expels unfiltered Argan Oil which is then collected and put into containers.
Argan Oil used for cosmetic purposes is produced almost exactly the same. However, the kernels are not roasted in this method in order to reduce the nut scent.
After the entire process, the oil is left to sit for a few weeks so that the sediment can settle.
The Use of Argan Oil
Culinary
Argan Oil is typically used for culinary purposes in Morocco.
Popular with breads and salads, it can also be mixed with ground, roasted almonds and honey to produce a thick paste called Amlou, commonly used as a bread dip.
Cosmetic
Others use it to treat wrinkles or dry skin as well. Between 2007 and 2017 the U.S market has been skyrocketing in their Argan Oil use and sales.
With an increase in interest from foreign markets, the Moroccan government plans on increasing their production to meet the demands. In fact, they are planning to increase production by nearly half by 2028.
Impact of Argan Oil Use
Social
As it’s such a large market, Argan Oil and its profits help to support over 2 million local people. Additionally, most of the oil is made by women’s co-ops that are part of the Social Development Agency .
This program helps support women in gaining skills, earning an income and providing educational opportunities for their children.
It also helps to give women a place in a largely male dominated economy, aiding them in realizing their rights.
Environmental
The Argan trees are quite beneficial when it comes to protecting the land from desertification.
The deep roots stave off desert encroachment, help improve landscape stability, prevent oil erosion and provide shade for other crops as well as feed for livestock.
As there became more of a demand for Argan Oil, the trees were planted more often and less likely to be cut down, thus helping aid the environment further.
Argan Oil is beneficial all the way around, helping locals, the environment and the people who use it both domestically and internationally.