I hadn't heard of it before today, but thanks to this French blog which pointed me in the direction of a sustainable development site, I now know that it is very rich in Vitamin E, it consists of 80% unsaturated fatty acid (similar to olive oil) and it also smells rather like almond oil. Research has shown that it has nutritional and dietary qualities even better than those of extra virgin olive oil and is commanding extraordinary prices.
The tree that produces this wonder oil is native to the semi-desert southern region of Morocco and grows nowhere else in the world.
The trees produce fruit which are very similar to large olives and are proving to be "green gold" to the Berber women who have created a co-operative to produce the oil, very sought after in other parts of the world.
Twenty nine women have joined together to produce and sell the oil. Some of these women cannot read nor write but the oil is giving them a promise of a better life. The dried fruit is roasted, smashed to remove the pulp, then the kernel is crushed to release the oil.
According to the article, a large cool room welcomes the customer, the shelves filled with flasks of oil, with soaps and creams. The presentation is simple but the contents of the bottle are what matters.
I have never heard or read about this tree before. Amazing how secrets like this remains secrets.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I had never heard of it before either but a search on Google seems to indicate that it has been avaialbel for some time.
ReplyDeleteWe have been importing Argan oil since May 2007. The oil is actually hand-pressed in stone mills by Women cooperatives in the Arganeraie. If you need more information, you are more than welcome to visit our website www.worldartisanguild.com
ReplyDeleteStefan