This oil is made from the "amandon", a nut found at the heart of the argan, the fruit of the argan tree. This tree, which grows only in semi-desert areas, is very abundant in Morocco, where there are nearly 20 million trees in the Agadir region. Argan oil is highly valued in Berber culture, where it is used both for its culinary and cosmetic virtues. Less known to the Western public than walnut oil, argan oil has a subtle hazelnut flavor. It is ideal for seasoning salads or beef carpaccio. More traditionally, it can be used with tagines, couscous, tomatoes, grilled peppers, cumin carrots, and goat cheese.

Argan oil is extracted from the nuts of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), an endemic tree to Morocco. The Berbers, who have lived in this region for centuries, were the first to discover the benefits of this oil. They used it for culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes. The production of culinary argan oil involves a laborious artisanal process. The argan nuts are first dried in the sun, then hand-cracked to extract the seeds. These seeds are then lightly roasted before being ground to extract the oil. This traditional process has been preserved for generations.

According to legend, the discovery of argan oil was made by the Berbers, an ancient indigenous tribe of Morocco. One day, the Berbers noticed that wild goats, known for their survival instinct, climbed the argan trees with agility to feed on the fruit. Intrigued by this behavior, the Berbers observed that the goats carefully selected the argan nuts and ingested them before spitting out the intact kernels. Intrigued by this behavior, the Berbers decided to collect the kernels and discover what attracted them so much. They discovered that the interior of the kernels contained oil-rich seeds. The Berbers then experimented with different methods to extract this precious oil, giving rise to the traditional method of argan oil production that still exists today.

In Morocco, argan oil is sometimes called "liquid gold" because of its value and benefits. "Liquid gold" is said "ذهب سائل" (dahab sa'il).

In addition to its culinary use, argan oil is also renowned for its nutritional and medicinal properties. It is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds beneficial for health. It is often consumed for its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, skin, hair, and nails.

There is an interesting anecdote related to Islamic tradition concerning the argan tree, the tree from which argan oil is extracted. According to tradition, there is a popular story that tells how the Prophet Muhammad taught his disciples the importance of the argan tree and its benefits. According to this story, Muhammad said, "Whoever plants an argan tree is considered as if he had planted paradise." This quote contributed to increasing the veneration of the argan tree in Islamic culture and promoting its conservation.

In the oases of southern Morocco, where argan trees grow in arid and difficult conditions, Berber women played a crucial role in argan oil production. Traditionally, it was their responsibility to harvest the argan nuts, crack them to extract the seeds, and then transform them into precious oil. This production process often involved laborious manual techniques and required great dexterity. Berber women gathered to perform this work, which was much more than just an economic activity. It was also a moment of socialization, knowledge sharing, and community bonding.

In addition to their role in argan oil production, Berber women were also custodians of traditional knowledge about the properties and uses of this precious oil. They passed on this knowledge from generation to generation, thus preserving a valuable cultural and culinary heritage.

Ingredients: 100% virgin argan oil (Argania spinosa kernel)
Allergens: Possible traces of sesame
Quantity : 20cl
Origin : France