The Origin Land of Argan Tree - Morocco

The Moroccan Atlantic coast between Essaouira and Agadir contains a small natural treasure that are found nowhere else: the Argan Tree. Its shaft, the argan spinosa, Moroccan women extract an edible oil, soft and nutty, and a cosmetic oil used in biological medicine. 
Argan oil is becoming the new oil trend. It is used more often in the trendy restaurants and its medicinal properties now recognized blew the sales of cosmetic products.
Argan spinosa: a tree with amazing properties

Argan, Argan spinosa is an endemic tree in Morocco found overall between Essaouira and Sidi Ifni, mainly in the plain and the Sub Region Haha on a surface of about 900 000 hectares. 
It an amazing tree is used for firewood, fodder for goats as well as food and cosmetics. The argan tree is resistant to heat large even when the soil is poor. It is a natural bulwark against desertification.

Biosphere Reserve of the argan tree approved by UNESCO was created in December 1998 to preserve the biological resources and cultural landscape values ​​and maintain the balance of the ecosystem while promoting local economic development.
Argan oil is used in salads, tagines, couscous and to enliven the meal. It is also used in the preparation of the amlou dish served to guests (a mixture of argan oil, crushed almonds and honey) that would have aphrodisiac properties. The oil is very thin nutty, rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

For many dates, argan oil is also used by the Berbers for treatment. He is given virtues to reduce cholesterol. It is also used under the skin and hair to fight against dryness and aging. The foliage is used for its anti-inflammatory drugs, to treat rheumatism, joint pain and earaches.

On the way to the Argan

Traditionally, the Moroccan women are reaping the fallen fruit in spring and dry them.They take the soft pulp  and then crush the almonds of the Argan tree between two stones. After the crushing, sorting is done first so that there are no impurities with the almonds. They are then lightly roasted (for cooking oil) before being pressed - then out comes a paste, which is then kneaded with a little water to obtain oil and meal. In the case of cosmetic argan oil, the almonds are roasted and the oil goes through a filtering process that makes it more pure and more refined at the molecular level. It takes 100 kg of fruit to 1.5 liters of oil.

Between Essaouira and Agadir, the argan forests are numerous and walk among the trees and a real pleasure. Feel free to stop in a village, meeting people. With a little luck, a Berber family invites you to go home. A sign of hospitality, you will probably tea and Argan oil along with some bread. Maybe you can taste the amlou?In poor families, it happens that the almonds are replaced by peanuts and honey for sugar.

On the way, the cooperative biological posters abound. The essence of the argan tree, however, is threatened by overexploitation of its resources. Overgrazing, excessive collection of fruits, lower the water table and devastate the argan tree felling. All co-ops have a different sense of ethics. To address this, the project was created Arganier with the aim of increasing the participation of rural women in the socio-economic fabric of the region while promoting sustainable management of the argan tree.

You can also visit the following addresses:
The Union of Cooperatives of Women of the argan tree (UCFA) includes 22 women's cooperatives between Essaouira and Agadir Tiznit in the south. 1000 women join the UCFA in the five provinces arganerie: Essaouira, Agadir, Tiznit, Taroudant and Chtouka Aït Baha. The products are certified by Ecocert.  More information:
 www.cooperation-argane.com .
Address : 7  Rue Al Khansa – Cité Dakhla – Agadir, Morocco
Tel : +212 5 28 23 52 79
E-mail : contact@cooperative-argane.com
 
Targanine is a group of women's cooperatives for production and commercialization of argan oil. Six cooperatives involving 240 women join. The products are certified by Ecocert. More information: www.targanine.com .