Argan: The Moroccan Tree of Life
2005-03-25
In Morocco, the argan is called "The Tree of Life" due to its many uses. UNESCO declared an 800,000-hectare area in southwest Morocco between Essaouira and Agadir a biosphere reserve because it is the only place in the world where argans grow.
(Argane d'Essaouira.com; Al-Bab.com)
 [File] Goats climb argan trees to savor their succulent fruit |
Argania spinosa grows in the area due to a unique mixture of soil, strong sun and Atlantic climate. Though declining in number, argans can live up to 250 years through heat and drought in meager, stony soil. Attempts to introduce the species to other parts of the world have failed.
The argan's small habitat makes it virtually unknown outside Morocco and unknown to many Moroccans who live in different regions. The name "argan" likely came from the village of Argana, where the tree may have first been identified.
But there is more to the argan tree than meets the eye.
Growing to a height of 8-10m, the twisted and gnarled trunk of the tree enables goats to climb and eat its leaves and fruit. After the goats consume the green, fleshy, olive-looking fruit, they excrete the nut.
Argan nuts contain oil slightly darker than olive oil with a reddish tinge and nutty taste. Called Moroccan "liquid gold," the oil is extracted in a largely traditional production process that starts with farmers collecting the nuts left by goats.
Opening the nuts to remove kernels requires 20 hours of work to produce one litre of oil. The largely cottage industry is mostly performed by women, though it is possible someday greater popularity of the oil will lead to significant employment opportunities. One indication of the oil's popularity is a Swiss-Moroccan company, Argane d'Essaouria, now sells argan oil over the internet.
 [File] Berber women making argan oil |
At the local level, the difficult oil extraction process from argan nuts yields an unexpected outcome: unscrupulous vendors and distributors. High-priced argan oil tempts many vendors and distributors to dilute it with cheaper oils. On the many roadside stands between Essaouira and Agadir, the oil's authenticity is not guaranteed and customers must be careful.
High costs lead to consumers generally only using argan oil in moderation to flavour dishes such as couscous, salads, vegetables, meat, and fish. People who make their own oil are more likely to utilize it for general cooking.
Argan oil is considered healthy because it contains 80 per cent unsaturated fatty acids like oleic and linoleic. Attributed health effects include reducing cholesterol levels and bolstering the body's natural defenses.
 [File] Argan fruit |
The oil is packed with natural vitamin E and is used as a skin care product. Argan oil's anti-aging effect on skin and ability to soften it makes it a popular ingredient in Moroccan cosmetics. There is also evidence the oil can protect against skin infections.
More than oil is made from the argan kernel. A brown-coloured paste called amlou is made from the kernel, sweetened and served as a breakfast bread spread by Berbers.
Besides the economic benefits that could be spurred by increased investment in argan products, efforts to protect and possibly increase the number of trees will help the environment. The trees' deep roots help bind the soil and prevent erosion.
With the capability of yielding tasty oil, skin care products, a sweet paste, and saving the environment, the Moroccan "The Tree of Life" earned a well-deserved name.
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عماد Posted 2006-10-07
The subject is good, but incomplete.
عمر المراقي Posted 2006-12-23
Can you send me communications about its benefits!
DAVID EMEKA AGU Posted 2007-01-24
how can i get this oil for nigeria use?.
Don Posted 2007-04-22
Does anyone know where I can buy Argane oil wholesale . Many Thanks
اسماء Posted 2007-10-02
How can I get the basic oil
omar azahi Posted 2007-10-28
Can this tree grow in Algeria?
hajar Posted 2007-11-27
I think this subject is both very beautiful and very important.
مواطن الله اشوف من حالو Posted 2007-12-05
A topic which deserves praise, but the ideas aren't co-ordinated as the process of extracting the oil wasn't completed, you just mentioned extracting the kernel. What comes next?
sara Posted 2007-12-21
hello, thank you for the topic.actially i have a presentation in university about how argan oil is extracted,meaning the production process of argan oil with details.please help me to give the best.i'm waiting your answer thank you once again
YOUSSRA Posted 2007-12-24
What a nice nice subject with some excellent ideas and expressions. I am speechless because it is about Moroccan culture.
pierre Posted 2008-01-15
Hello, I am planning on buying an argan tree? I am going to try to plant it in my garden. I live in Aquitaine. Will it grow????
somia Posted 2008-02-10
Hello, I think this subject is very important. I would like to know what new techniques for artificially growing new argan trees there are? Thank you
basma Posted 2008-02-25
hello,it's a good subject.but i would like to khnow more information about this topis.thank u
ياسمين Posted 2008-02-28
Yes this tree can grow in Algeria because we have made researches about the topic and searched in the areas where it grows. It grows in the North West of Algeria in the town of Sik, namely in ‘Akkaz’, in the Wilaya of Moaskar and in the town of ‘Stidia’, wilaya of Mostaghanem. It is very similar to Argan tree in Morocco. But unfortunately, people of the region don’t care about it, and it doesn’t receive necessary care for the lack of experience. Reply to Ammar Ezzahi.
سارة Posted 2008-02-29
In my opinion, Argan tree grows only in Morocco or as the sister Yasmine said in dear Algeria. This tree has many beneficial interests namely in the Moroccan aesthetic field. The way it is produced is by removing the core which is mixed up, smoked, put in water then it is sieved, this is how we get the authentic Moroccan Argan oil.
المهندس أبو محمد نور Posted 2008-03-14
The the peace and mercy of God be upon you. How can I buy five of these trees? Who do I pay and how much is it?
nadia Posted 2008-03-22
Hello to all the ambitious people in Morocco, Please, I would like to know what the benefits of this “Tree of Life” are. I would like to know if it can grow in the region of Marrakesh and how long it takes for it to bear fruit. Thank you
sosiabdallah Posted 2008-03-23
In my opinion, this is a valuable article in every respect. It has shown a very good, realistic and important picture which was absent from the minds of some people. For those who want to buy this oil, I am a man who sells this natural heritage. You can just call me. Sincerely yours.
yousef Posted 2008-04-05
Please, where can we buy this oil in Syria?
سعد الدوسري Posted 2008-04-09
My dear brothers. Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. Please direct me to any official study made about this oil and which shows the benefits of this oil without referring to popular tales circulated by old people.
maria Posted 2008-07-01
I would like to ask any experts out there if it is possible to transplant an Argan tree without damaging it. Should the new location have the exact same characteristics as the that of its origin?
عبدو Posted 2008-10-16
Salam alikum my brothers and sisters and this good place which I came across at random. Yes dear ones, it is Argan which offers many benefits.
jeanne Posted 2008-12-07
This subject is interesting. I read on Wikipedia that argan cultivation is threatened by the intensive cultivation of lettuces in Morocco. Argan oil is sold for a high price in Europe. An NGO, association or voluntary entrepreneur that wants to study the industry needs to be found. I also read that there is almost none left in Algeria. What a shame for this beautiful country – as I imagine it – to be given argan oil, a success in natural beauty shops, and to not have anyone who can help plant argan trees. And, this would create jobs for people. With come marketing, this could be the “Oil of the Berbers”.
nina Posted 2008-12-12
Hi- Are argan trees profitable?
nina Posted 2008-12-12
There is a close relationship between sustainable development and the natural environment. The officials are increasingly taking into consideration climatic threats, economic development and demographic growth. But, in an environment such as southwestern Morocco, the aridness is a major constraint to development. And, even a very proactive irrigation project cannot resolve all of the problems. Sustainable environment for such an environment relies on the reasonable management of natural resources, soil, vegetation and water. The argan trees and argan plantations are part of the natural resources that we must protect and better value. In effect, the argan tree is a “multi-use” tree, each tree part or product – wood, leaves, fruits, oil – is usable and is a source of revenue and food for the user.
TURCHET Jacques Posted 2008-12-15
It is good to publish articles on argan trees, which, unfortunately, are becoming more and more rare. I think that we need to encourage the planting of this precious tree for our human and animal health. Upon returning from Morocco, where I conduct business, I am going to take an interest in this problem, because there area lot of possibilities with regards to making products from this tree. This would permit the local populations to remain working with local production and to live off of their production. It is all a problem of organisation and subsidisation. –Jacques Turchet, agricultural engineer
aziz Posted 2009-02-27
Salam everyone! I am looking for photographs of the argan tree, please.
fatima Posted 2009-03-17
Salam alikum. I am Fatima from Morocco, region of Souss famous for Argan. I am very interested in this tree. I am now planning to set up a project of planting Argan trees. In my family, we extract Argan oil. I need someone to help me because this tree is a precious resource as we call it green gold. But in recent years, it has declined. This is very serious for nature and man. Thank you.
حكيم Posted 2009-03-26
Salam alikum. Thank you for the valuable information. I want more specific and scientific information about agriculture, growth conditions, nature of the soil, thank you.
عزيزة مزا Posted 2009-03-31
A very good topic but it is not complete. I have to prepare a topic about this tree but I haven't found enough information.
رامي علي Posted 2009-04-08
Thank you for this interesting and important information for the reader. I hope that you send more information.
zineb Posted 2009-05-25
I have a research project due on Morocco's forest areas. Please help me. Please.
asma Posted 2009-06-08
I would like to buy pure Argan oil.
dahmani Posted 2009-06-28
May I have some information on where I can buy an argan tree? Can you also tell me the type of sunlight this tree needs? I await your information. -Thank you, your friend from northern Morocco.
rachid Posted 2009-08-30
I succeeded in finally getting an argan seed to germinate. I was able to get my first little argan tree at home with a difference humidity and climate than in the South. I live in Rabat. Thank God I could achieve my goal. The second step will be to plant them in the soil. God willing, I hope this will success. If you want to see the photographs, contact me.
سومة Posted 2009-10-15
How can I confirm that Argan oil is authentic, especially when it is sold at a low price?
ibrahim Posted 19 days ago
Salam alikum. Concerning Argan oil, it only grows in wild areas. It doesn’t need a lot of water. It cannot be planted anywhere else. It is present only in mountainous areas in the south of Morocco. It has a strong flavour. You can't eat much of it. Some people mix it up with olive oil.
Amine Posted 16 days ago
Hello everyone- This is my first time going on this website. I thank the people running it. Some members have posed a few questions, and given my fondness for the argan tree, I will be happy to answer as best I can. Please, anyone who wants to contact me, do so through this website. I ask that the editorial staff to eliminate anything from my comment that is not authorised. So, here are my responses to: - Don – In the region of Agadir or, more precisely, in Ait Melloul or Essaouira you will find co-operatives able to deliver you Argan oil wherever you may be (Morocco or elsewhere); - عمر المراقي – The advantages of this oil, which make up a long list, are multiple. You just need to specify whether you are looking for the advantages relating to consumption or its cosmetic use; - سماء – Tell me what you want to say by “basic oil” and I will try to respond; - Sara – Contact me and I will be able to provide you with this information; - Pierre and Somia – Try to contact the Institute in Agadir that - to the best of my knowledge - did some professional research in this field. - Aziz – Go to Google, for example, write “arganier” and do an image search. You will get them. I think that that is enough for today. Thank you, everyone.
Anita Posted 14 days ago
I am researching an article on culinary argan oil, and looking for historical details, beyond its widespread availability as documented by Leo Africanus in the 16th century. Can you tell me how cooks would have used the oil in earlier times? Thank you!
مجهول Posted 14 days ago
Interesting.
mohamed Posted 5 days ago
Salam alikum my brothers. It is a pleasure that the Maghreb and Arab people take interest in this noble tree. It is a source of pride for us and shows to the West that God Almighty loves His servants and endowed them with everything valuable and beneficial for the health of humans. Thank you.
hamza Posted 4 days ago
Thank you so much!
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