Argan Oil: Liquid Gold from Morocco

Argan oil is a precious plant oil extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, a thorny and resilient species native to Morocco and southwestern Algeria. Often referred to as "liquid gold," this oil has been prized for centuries for its culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal properties. Why is it so expensive? Several factors contribute to argan oil's high price tag:Scarcity: Argan trees are slow-growing and only thrive in a specific arid climate, limiting their cultivation. Labour-intensive processing: Traditionally, women's cooperatives extract the oil using a labour-intensive, multi-step process involving hand-cracking the argan nuts, grinding the kernels, and cold-pressing the oil. Nutritional value: Argan oil is packed with antioxidants, fatty acids (including oleic acid and linoleic acid), and vitamin E, all of which contribute to its health benefits. Processing Argan Oil: Traditionally, argan oil is produced using a centuries-old method:Harvesting: Women collect th...