Argan oil - The oil of miracles from the land of magics

Argan tree, the geographical exception of being local to southern Morocco, is a tree with a life spreading between 150 and 200 years. Argan tree is very resistant to drought and heat.

Originally uploaded by euanpreston

Argan tree geographical area span over 830,000 ha along the Atlantic coast from Essaouira (Morocco) to Souss valley (Morocco) where it represents 71% of forests. But there are colonies of Argan trees in places where they are not expected witnessing an extension of the old area.

One of the main ecological characteristics of Argan tree lies in its adaptability to all kinds of soils. It's found on clay soils, limestone, and so on. However, it does not grow on sandy soils, hence its absence on the dunes surrounding the town of Essaouira .

It is interesting to note that soil fertility is higher beneath the Argan tree where the soil is always wet and microbial activities are more important. Researchers have identified varieties of plants that owe their survival to the micro-climate Argan tree offers.

Argan tree area expands from sea level up to an altitude of 1500m southern of Morocco, and 700 m on the northern mountains of Morocco.

This ever green and thorny tree is perfectly adapted to aridity. Thanks to its deep root system, Argan tree helps maintain soil fertility, and protect it from water and wind erosion keeping away desertification threat.
Argan tree belongs to the Sapotaceae plant family. It grows in the southwest of Morocco, on dry lands, and plays an important role in the ecology of the area by maintaining humidity keeping the surrounding land fertile.

The Argan tree is characterized by its roots that are so deep (five times the upper part). It can spontaneously get rid of its leaves to minimize evaporation of moisture once traversing prolonged drought periods that may endanger its existence. Argan tree wood is used for construction and its leaves are the daily camels' food as well as that of goats which don't hesitate climbing up the tree to graze the seedlings. Argan fruits, which are concealed within a very hard shell, take two years long to reach maturity and finally be ready for the extraction of the miracle oil: the Argan oil.
Argan nuts enclose one or more almonds (up to three), containing a very thin oil with a light nutty flavor.

Unfortunately, Argan tree is an endangered species due to intensive agriculture and other tree wood usages. However, UNESCO recognized in 1999, the Argan forest as a World Heritage of Humanity.

Argan oil benefits en recipes

Traditionally in Morocco, Argan oil is used in tajines, couscous, salads, grilled tomatoes and other famous moroccan recipes (see how argan oil is traditionally produced in Morocco).

Argan oil contains 80% of unsaturated fatty acids. This acid is essential because it can not be synthesized by our body and must be provided in diet.

Argan's oleic acid content makes it a particularly interesting oil in the regulation of cholesterol. There are some ongoing studies that tend to show that two soup-spoonfuls Argan oil per day for a month could significantly reduce blood cholesterol.

The Argan oil is rich in vitamin E (620 mg / kg for Argan oil compared to 320 mg / kg for Olive oil) which is a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant that captures free radicals and neutralizes destructive oxidation.

Some Argan oil medical properties:

• Anti-oxidant (phenolic compounds)
• Reduces hyper tension
• Reduces cholesterol damage
• Reduces rheumatic an articular pain
• Stimulates brain capacity
• Facilitate digestion by increasing the concentration of pepsin in the gastric juice

Some Argan Oil recipes

How to prepare original Moroccan Amlou:

Purported by native Moroccans to be a natural aphrodisiac and energy booster, argan is mixed into a paste with roasted almonds and honey then spread on rolls or bread. Eaten in the morning, the dip is also cited as an appetite suppressant and dietary aid.

Amlou Ingredients:

• 8 oz. regular almonds, roasted and salted
• 8 tbsp. argan oil
• 4 tbsp. honey
  

Grind almonds in a food processor to desired texture. Place ground almonds in a mixing bowl and slowly stir in argan oil, one tbsp at a time. Slowly stir in honey to a well mixed paste. Serve on Pita bread, croissant, toast or rolls.
You should store Amlou at room temperature in a sealed container for good conservation.

How to prepare Argan and Honey Spread
A delicious spread For a quick, energetic start of your day

Argan/honey spread ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. argan oil
• 2 tbsp. honey

Mix honey and argan in a bowl. Use on bread or pancakes. For good conservation, store it at room temperature in closed container.

Preparing Couscous - Morocco

, originally uploaded by mcprincenw.

The way Argan oil is made in southern Morocco

How argan oil is produced

Argan oil is produced from the fruits of the Argan tree which grows nowhere in the world except in southwestern Morocco. It is believed to date back 25,000,000 years and to have once covered N. Africa wild in semi-desert soil, its deep root system helping to protect against soil erosion.

Originally uploaded by JustinSahibdeen

It was first reported by the explorer Leo Africanus in 1510. Now only 860,000 hectares remain in S.W. Morocco and these are declining at a rate of 50,000h per year. Measures are being put in place to protect this rare and endangered species and in 1999 the argan was listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Heritage.

Originally uploaded by Julie70

Originally uploaded by dianjo

The most labour intensive part of oil-extraction is removal of the soft pulp (used as animal feed) and the cracking by hand, between two stones, of the hard nut. The seeds are then removed and gently roasted.

Originally uploaded by carolynalicedaly

This roasting accounts for part of the oil's distinctive, nutty flavour. The traditional technique for oil extraction is to grind the roasted seeds to paste, with a little water, in a stone rotary quern. The paste is then squeezed between hands to extract the oil.

Originally uploaded by Aceduline

The extracted paste is still oil-rich and is used as animal feed. Oil produced by this method will keep 3-6 months, and will be produced as needed in a family, from a store of the kernels, which will keep for 20 years unopened.

Dry-pressing is now increasingly important for oil produced for sale, as the oil will keep 12-18 months and extraction is much faster.

Originally uploaded by easyondeuxize

Goats like the pulp of argan fruits and often try to climb the trees to get at them. They will digest the pulp, but shed the undigested seeds in their feces.

As these have shells that are somewhat softened and easier to crack, they are occasionally used to produce oil for non-culinary purposes. An urban legend has it that all argan oil is produced this way. This myth seems to be based on the fact that occasionally, shrewd traders would have sold (and may still try to sell) such "non-food grade" argan oil to ignorant travellers or tourists.

Originally uploaded by Maria McCann!

The fact that the nuts acquire a foul aroma in passing through the animal's digestive tract makes it easy to tell this oil apart from food-grade produce with its rich, walnut oil-like flavor.