- Related Topics:
- vegetable oil
argan oil
-
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the argan tree. Food-grade argan oil, derived from roasted seeds, is used in cooking, while cosmetic-grade oil, typically from unroasted seeds, is used in hair and skin treatments. This polyunsaturated oil is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and oleic and linoleic acids, as well as phenols and sterols. Argan trees are thorny evergreens native to the argan forests of southwest Morocco, with a lifespan of up to 200 years.
Traditionally, Amazigh women produce argan oil by harvesting the fruit, removing the pulp, and cracking open the nuts to extract the kernels. The kernels are then roasted, ground into a paste, and kneaded or pressed to extract the oil. Argan oil has a history of use in treating skin conditions and joint pain. It may also hold promise for treating diabetes and high blood pressure.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Where does argan oil come from?
Argan oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the argan tree. These thorny evergreens are endemic to the argan forests of southwest Morocco, as well as parts of Algeria and Mauritania. The argan tree, Argania sideroxylon, bears fruits similar to olives.
Traditionally, Amazigh women harvest the argan fruit, remove the pulp, and crack open the nuts to extract the kernels (seeds). These kernels are then roasted (if the oil is for cooking) before being ground into a paste and kneaded or pressed to extract the oil.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How is argan oil made?
Argan oil is extracted from the seeds of the argan tree argan oil. The argan tree is endemic to the argan forests of southwest Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. Traditionally, Amazigh women harvest the fruit, remove the pulp, and crack open the nuts to extract the kernels.
If intended for cooking, the kernels are roasted, ground into a paste, and kneaded or pressed to extract the oil. Argan oil is considered a cold-pressed oil because no heat is used during extraction. The residue is used as animal feed. Cosmetic-grade argan oil is typically made from unroasted seeds.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some common uses of argan oil?
Argan oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the argan tree. Food-grade argan oil, derived from roasted seeds, serves culinary purposes, while cosmetic-grade argan oil, typically from unroasted seeds, is favored in hair and skin treatments. This polyunsaturated oil boasts high levels of vitamin E, antioxidants, and oleic and linoleic acids, along with phenols and sterols.
Traditionally, argan oil has been used to alleviate skin conditions and joint pain, reduce arthritis pain, and lower cholesterol. Research indicates its potential in treating or preventing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. In cosmetics, argan oil is used as a skin emollient in soaps, moisturizers, and creams, as well as a hair lotion to prevent frizziness, protect hair from UV light, and enhance shine.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Why is argan oil valued in cooking and skincare?
Argan oil is valued in both cooking and skincare due to its unique properties and rich composition. Food-grade argan oil, derived from roasted seeds, enhances culinary dishes with a flavor similar to hazelnuts. Cosmetic-grade argan oil, typically extracted from unroasted seeds, is used in hair and skin treatments.
This vegetable oil contains high amounts of vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acids, as well as phenols and sterols. It serves as a skin emollient in soaps, moisturizers, and creams and as a hair lotion to prevent frizziness, protect hair from UV light, and increase shine.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How does argan oil production help the communities where it is made?
Argan oil production significantly benefits local communities, especially the Amazigh women of southwest Morocco, where the argan tree is endemic. Traditionally, these women perform the labor-intensive process of harvesting the fruit, extracting the kernels, and producing the oil.
The increased demand for argan oil has led to greater economic and educational opportunities for women, enhancing their social standing. Profits from argan oil sales provide income and can improve livelihoods, although these socioeconomic shifts can sometimes cause household conflicts in this traditional society.
Moreover, argan trees themselves play an ecological role, acting as a buffer against desertification. This helps preserve the environment and sustain traditional ways of life.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
argan oil, vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the argan tree (Sideroxylon spinosum, formerly Argania spinosa). Food-grade argan oil, made from roasted seeds, is used for cooking, while cosmetic-grade argan oil is typically made from unroasted seeds and is popular in hair and skin treatments. The polyunsaturated oil contains large amounts of vitamin E, antioxidants, and oleic and linoleic acids, as well as phenols and sterols.
Argan trees are thorny evergreens endemic to the argan forests of southwest Morocco, as well as parts of Algeria and Mauritania. The trees, which can grow as tall as 10 metres (33 feet) and live as long as to 200 years, are drought resistant and serve as a buffer against the advance of the desert. Despite the ecological importance of argan trees and their economic value as a source of argan oil, the trees are threatened by use for firewood and building materials, by overharvesting the seeds, and by overgrazing. Local herders graze their goats in the trees, which can strip trees bare of leaves and fruit. Profits from the sale of argan oil are often used to buy more goats, which add more pressure to the fragile ecosystem. Without intervention and careful management, there is concern that the trees will be threatened with extinction by the middle of the 21st century.
The production of argan oil is traditionally done by Amazigh women over the course of two to three days. Women harvest the fruit of the argan tree, remove the pulp, and crack open the hard argan nuts to remove the two or three kernels (seeds) inside. If the oil is intended for cooking, the kernels are roasted, ground into a paste, and then manually kneaded or placed in an oil press to extract the oil. Argan oil is considered a cold-pressed oil as no heat is used during the actual extraction. The cake, or leftover residue, is used as animal feed. The work of extracting the oil is often performed by women’s cooperatives, while the final product is typically sold by men. The increased demand for argan oil in the 21st century has given women greater opportunities for economic and educational advancement, as well as improvement of their standing in society, though these socioeconomic changes have sometimes led to household conflicts in such a traditional society.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
Argan oil has a long history of use. In traditional Amazigh society, the oil is used to treat skin conditions and joint pain and is touted with reducing the pain of arthritis and lowering cholesterol. Research suggests the oil may hold promise for the treatment or prevention of a number of physical maladies, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, though its properties are still being investigated. Argan oil is also used in cooking: a Moroccan dish called amlou is a paste made from argan oil, toasted and crushed almonds, and honey and is usually served at breakfast or with tea. Food-grade argan oil has a smoke point of 220 °C (420 °F), similar to that of olive oil, and the flavour is like that of hazelnuts. The oil is popular in cosmetics and is used as a skin emollient in soaps, moisturizers, and creams and as a hair lotion to prevent frizziness, protect hair from UV light, and increase shine.