Argan Oil in Morocco: How It’s Made & Why It’s Called Liquid Gold
Argan Oil in Morocco: From Tree to Treasure
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| Argan Oil Seeds/Nuts |
Introduction
When I first traveled through the dusty, sun-drenched regions of southwestern Morocco, I saw these oddly shaped, wide-branched trees stretching across the dry landscape. I later learned these were Argan trees, and little did I know, they were responsible for one of Morocco’s most prized treasures: argan oil, often called liquid gold.
Argan oil isn’t just a beauty trend—it’s deeply woven into Moroccan culture and traditions, made through a slow, communal process passed down through generations of Berber women. Let me take you inside that story.
🌳 What Makes the Argan Tree So Special?
The Argan tree (Argania spinosa) grows almost exclusively in Morocco, mostly between Essaouira and Agadir. It’s not just any tree—it’s a lifeline for the ecosystem. Its roots dig deep into the arid soil, holding the earth together and preventing desertification. The gnarled branches stretch wide, often providing shade for goats (yes, they do climb it!), but the true magic lies in its fruit.
Inside the fruit’s hard nut are kernels so rich in oil that, when carefully extracted, become Morocco’s golden gift to the world.
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| Native to Morocco, the ancient argan tree thrives in arid landscapes and produces the treasured nuts used to create argan oil—often called “liquid gold. Photo by Morris Dog on Pixabay |
🧺 The Traditional Way of Making Argan Oil
Many people are surprised to learn how long and meticulous the traditional process is. I had the chance to visit a women’s cooperative just outside Marrakech, and what I witnessed was truly humbling.
Here’s the process I watched firsthand:
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Gathering the Fruit – The women collect fallen argan fruits from under the trees in the summer.
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Drying – They leave the fruit to sun-dry for days.
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De-pulping – Once dried, the fruit pulp is peeled off to reveal the argan nut.
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Cracking – This part was incredible: women sit together and hand-crack each nut with stones to extract the precious kernel inside. It’s an art.
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Roasting (for food oil) – The kernels are lightly roasted over a fire, giving culinary argan oil its delicious, nutty flavor.
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Grinding – They grind the roasted kernels into a thick brown paste using stone mills.
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Pressing – The paste is kneaded by hand to squeeze out the oil.
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Filtering – The oil is filtered, often more than once, to get the pure, golden liquid.
👉 This traditional method takes about 30-40 kg of fruit to produce just 1 liter of oil—yes, that’s how precious it is.
🌟 Uses and Benefits of Argan Oil
Argan oil is everywhere in Morocco—locals use it for cooking, skincare, and hair. And now, people all over the world are discovering its powerful properties:
💆♀️ Beauty & Skincare:
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Moisturizes and softens skin
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Soothes irritation and acne
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Helps reduce signs of aging and stretch marks
💇♀️ Hair Care:
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Tames frizz and adds shine
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Nourishes the scalp
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Strengthens dry, damaged hair
🍴 Culinary:
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Used in Moroccan cuisine (especially amlou, a delicious nutty dip with almonds and honey)
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High in Vitamin E and good fats
🧕 Empowering Women Through Argan
What touched me most was learning how argan oil production empowers women in rural Morocco. Many of the cooperatives are women-run, providing steady income, literacy education, and a sense of community.
By supporting traditional argan oil, you're not just buying a product—you’re helping preserve culture, empower women, and protect the environment.
🎥 Watch: How Argan Oil Is Made (Traditional Method)
How Argan Oil is Made | VeganOfLove—
🎥 Video courtesy of VeganOfLove on YouTube
🏺 Final Thoughts
If you ever visit Morocco, don’t leave without trying real, hand-pressed argan oil from a women’s cooperative. Whether it’s drizzled on a warm Moroccan salad or massaged into your skin, you’ll feel the centuries of tradition in every drop.
And if you're like me—curious, inspired, and always learning—this isn’t just about oil. It’s about a tree, a people, and a culture rooted in sustainability and strength.
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