Moroccan treats – argan oil
One of Morocco’s most famous products, argan oil is now a staple ingredient in many kitchens. Produced from the kernels of the argan tree, which is only native to Morocco and Algeria although it used to be prevalent across North Africa, argan oil has a distinctive, nutty flavour and is used in cookery and as a dip for breads, drizzle for couscous or dressing for salad. When visiting Morocco you’re sure to encounter argan oil, or ‘Moroccan gold’ in a range of dishes.
Argan trees are very well adapted to arid, desert-like conditions, which means it grows well in drought prone areas such as south west Morocco
The trees have been harvested since Berber times and they are also popular with the free-roaming goats, which like to climb them to feast upon the leaves. An entertaining sight for visitors to Morocco is that of the goats balanced precariously in
This, combined with an increasing demand for wood, means that the trees have become increasingly rare, and are now protected by UNESCO.
The oil itself is extracted from the kernels of argan nuts, and in certain areas of Morocco you can see Berber women bashing the kernels with stones to prepare them for oil extraction. These women’s co-operatives are vital to the economies of many parts of Morocco and help keep the villages alive.
Argan oil is such in vitamin E and fatty acids, and can be used in such products as soap, massage oil and anti-ageing cream, as well as for cookery.
You can pick up argan oil throughout Morocco at a fraction of the price you’d get it for in the UK. Therefore, it’s well worth stocking up before your trip home.
