What is Argan Oil? and How is it Made?

The two types of Moroccan Argan Oil

The Production of Argan Oil

There are two types Argan oil produced from the same Argan nuts but for each oil the nuts are processed in a different way.

The Cosmetic oil is a light yellow colour and is used either directly on the hair or skin on its own or as part of a cream. It is the Cosmetic oil that has been traditionally used for its anti-ageing properties,on the hair, for treatment of sun damage to the skin, burns and Eczema.

The edible Argan oil is golden brown colour and is used for cooking and eating. To produce this oil the Argan Nuts are first roasted. The oil produced from the Argan nuts then has the golden brown colour and delicious nutty flavour.

The Argan tree is extremely thorny and gives fierce protection its fruit. The tree fruits are almond nut-sized and ovoid. Inside of a milky pulp covered by a thick peel, is an very hard shelled seed which is the argan nut.

Argan nuts contain up to three oil-rich white kernels from which argan oil is extracted. The yield depends on whether a modern mechanical oil press or the traditional manual method is used to extract the oil.

No matter which method is used to press the Argan Oil dough and extract the pure oil the process always starts in the same way.

Traditionally, Argan Oil is extracted by women.

After removing the covering the argan nuts are broken with stones and the kernels are air-dried in clay containers.

After cooling they are ground in to dough by mixing with water for several minutes.

If an Argan Oil is being produced for eating then the nut kernels are first removed and gently roasted. This roasting accounts for the eating oil's distinctive, nutty flavour.

It takes several days and about 32 kilograms of fruit – roughly one season's produce from a single tree – to make only one litre of oil.

To improve product quality the way in which the “dough” is pressed into an oil has been changing in recent years.

The extra income the new found interest in Argan Oil has provided means that most co-operatives can now afford to buy modern mechanical presses to extract the Argan Oil from the dough.

There are a number of advantages to using a mechanical press.

A mechanical press is quicker at extracting the oil, a process that was also quite arduous. The Argan co-operatives have also found that the oil produced by the mechanical presses has a lower water content. This lower water content has meant that the oil has an improved shelf life and richer texture. Mechanical pressed oil should keep in good condition for up to 18 months if stored correctly in an air-tight light-proof container. 

There are a number of advantages to using a mechanical press.

A mechanical press is quicker at extracting the oil, a process that was also quite arduous. The Argan co-operatives have also found that the oil produced by the mechanical presses has a lower water content. This lower water content has meant that the oil has an improved shelf life and richer texture. Mechanical pressed oil should keep in good condition for up to 18 months if stored correctly in an air-tight light-proof container.