There is no other place in the whole world where argan trees
(argania spinosa) grow, but in Morocco, particularly
in the Berber region between Essaouira
and Agadir, on an area of 800 000
hectares.
Argan trees are very resistant and can live up to
200 years and are adapted to droughts and to the arid climate of the
south west region of Morocco. They have roots that go deep into the
soil to seek water. They contribute to the stability of the soil
and thus limit the spreading of desertification. Argan trees play an
important role in maintaining ecological balance as well as in
keeping the population in place and insuring a suitable income for
them.
UNESCO recognised The Argan tree as a universal
heritage in 1999. It is known for its nutritive, cosmetic and
medical virtues and an exotic smell and taste. It's God's
indescribable gift.
Argan tree has a green fruit resembling an olive
but bigger. Inside, there is a nut with a solid shell. the nut can
contain up to 3 tiny almonds. Argan oil is extracted out of the
fruit that is collected when ripe and dry. The skin is taken out to
serve as food for cattle, camels or goats, then the shell is broken
and the nuts are taken out to be grilled then ground for a nutritive
oil of exotic flavour and smell.
After extracting oil, remains a sort of brown dough that is fed to
cattle whereas the broken shells are used to make fire. Nothing is
left, nothing is lost, all is recycled. Argan oil production is not
an easy procedure. It has always been done manually , though
commercial constraints make it necessary to use machines that
unfortunately have an impact on the entire activity and its
traditional and cultural aspects.
