Argan Oil: Morocco’s Liquid Gold
The southwest of Morocco is uniquely situated to support argan trees. Argan trees do not grow anywhere else in the world. They have the unique capacity to grow in arid and semi-arid environments under harsh weather conditions. Argan trees grow up to 8-10 meters high, and their lifespan is 150-200 years.
Before Moroccan argan oil gained popularity in Western society, it was a cornerstone of Moroccan culture, utilized in cosmetics, beauty products, skincare, and even culinary applications.
Argan Production
The traditional production process begins with a unique sight: goats perched in trees. Goats climb the trees to feed on argan fruits. The fruits have a fleshy outer layer that surrounds a hard nut, inside of which lie the argan kernels. The goats consume the entire fruit, including the flesh and the nuts, as part of their diet. The nuts pass through the digestive system intact which softens the husk of the nut. In the traditional method, women filter through goat excrement to find the nuts, clean them, and open them to extract the kernels.
However, it’s essential to note that not all argan oil production involves goats. In many modern production facilities, argan fruits are harvested directly from the trees by hand, and the nuts are manually cracked open to extract the kernels. This method bypasses the involvement of goats in the process.
Extranabati
Open Doors Morocco visited Extranabati, an argan facility, to learn more about the modern processing of argan oil.
We met with Hassan Machmacha, owner of Extranabati. Hassan has been working in the argan industry for over two decades. After the death of his boss and mentor, he started his own business.
“My passion for natural oils drives my commitment to excellence in every aspect of my work. I am deeply invested in creating high-quality products that promote wellness and sustainability.”
From Tree to Oil
Argan trees flower in early spring and fruit grows from the flowers (photo top left). Beginning in July, the fruit will mature (photo top right) and fall to the ground. Women walk through the argan forests picking the nuts up from July through September. They dry the gathered fruit in the sun for some time. Next, they peel open the fruit to expose the nut using a heavy rock to crack the nut open (middle photos). Each argan nut has from one to three kernels (photo bottom left). The women extract the oil from the kernels. (photo bottom right).
The traditional method for producing argan oil involves a woman grinding the kernels with a millstone to extract the oil. It’s laborious work as it takes a long period of time. It’s also not the most sanitary of methods because it’s easy to inadvertently introduce bacteria.
In contrast, Extranabati processes in a sterile environment utilizing machinery. They start at the point of the kernel after women have cracked the nuts. In the video, you’ll see that kernels are fed into the machine. There are two outputs. The solid portion is used as feed for livestock, while the pure oil is extracted into a drum.
The oil is taken from the drum and passed through a series of filters made from cloth and paper. The final result is a wonderfully smooth oil with a wonderfully nutty scent. It absorbs into the skin very quickly leaving no sticky residue.
Uses of Argan
Cosmetic Grade
The cosmetic uses for argan are many. A few include:
- Skin Moisturizer: Keeps your skin soft and hydrated.
- Hair Conditioner: Makes your hair smooth and shiny.
- Anti-Aging: Helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
- Lip Balm: Keeps your lips soft and moisturized.
- Nail Care: Strengthens nails and softens cuticles.
- Sunburn Relief: Soothes and heals sunburned skin.
- Makeup Remover: Gently removes makeup without drying out your skin.
… and so much more.
Culinary Grade
The culinary grade argan has a subtle nutty flavor, different from other oils. It is packed with healthy fats and antioxidants. It is most often used as a dipping sauce for bread.
Amlou
Amlou is a traditional Moroccan spread made from roasted almonds, honey, and argan oil. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. Amlou contains 10% honey, 24% argan oil, and 66% roasted almonds. People often eat it with bread or use it as a dip for fruits. It’s a tasty and healthy treat!
A Word of Caution
Argan oil is amazing, however, just like everything, it’s possible to run into impure versions. We trust Extranabati as a source of 100% pure argan oil. We recommend avoiding small shops, especially in the Atlas Mountains that claim to sell pure argan oil. Farmers grow argan trees far from the Atlas Mountains. It’s much better to purchase in the region where it’s grown. Even then, there are imposters.
Ingredients:
Pure argan oil should have just one ingredient: 100% argan oil. Some producers mix argan oil with other oils without indicating it on the label. It’s best to purchase from distributors who ship to the United States, Europe, and Japan. These countries have high standards for oils. Extranabati has met the USDA credential for shipping oil to the United States. They also meet the credentialing requirements for Europe and Japan.
Scent:
Pure argan oil has a light, nutty smell. If it smells too strong or has no smell at all, it may not be pure. There are companies that filter out the smell for those who don’t care for the smell, so this test is not always accurate.
Color:
Pure argan oil is golden yellow. If it’s pale yellow or closer to orange, it’s likely not pure.
Texture:
Pure argan oil is smooth and not too water or too thick. It should absorb very quickly into the skin without feeling sticky or greasy.
Packaging:
It is best to keep pure argan oil in dark glass bottles to protect it from light. Avoid oils in plastic bottles that have been sitting on shelves gathering dust.
Price:
Pure argan oil can be expensive. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. The high cost of argan oil stems from the rare nature of the trees and the time required to process the oil.
Find out how you can work a tour of Extranabati into your Open Doors Morocco tour!
