Argan oil: a 100% natural culinary treasure

With its gentle fragrance of hazelnut and grilled almonds, its musky sweetness and distinctive flavor, argan oil is a precious ingredient in gastronomy. Used in traditional Moroccan cooking, it has gradually made its way into the cuisine of world-class chefs. Medina Souvenirs has selected torrefied organic food oil from Morocco’s finest argan tree fruit.

The argan tree grows in only one region of the world

Argan oil is found mainly in southwestern Morocco. It is made from the pips of the argan tree, which flourishes in the regions of Agadir, Essaouira and Taroudant. Unique in the world, the Moroccan argan tree forests now cover some 8,280 km² and are designated as a Unesco Biosphere reserve whose ecological system is to be protected. Argan tree fruit is traditionally transformed into a rare oil recognized for its culinary, dietary and medicinal properties.

Argan oil in the culinary arts

Berbers have used argan oil in their cuisine to season their coucous, tajines, grilled vegetables and salads for generations.  The oil, when mixed with almond powder and honey, produces the famous amlou, a bread dip served at breakfast and for snacks.  It’s the torrefication process that gives the oil its subtle nutty flavor. It should not be used for cooking as this would alter its taste, but rather added to the dishes after they have been prepared to give them that special Moroccan zest.

Argan oil has been adopted by chefs from Europe’s leading restaurants and is now an integral part of Western cuisine. Guy Martin at the Grand Vefour in Paris serves his asparagus with argan oil and Jérôme Nutile at Castellas prepares a succulent pigeon breast in juice cut with argan oil. The French gastronomical press has given the oil great reviews, and it is gradually becoming a standard in the cooking of meat and fish.

Argan oil’s health benefits

Argan oil contains a high percentage of vitamin E, Omega-9 oleic acid and Omega-6 Alpha linolenic acid, even higher than that found in olive oil. The oil’s health benefits have been widely acknowledged, in particular in the prevention of cardio-vascular diseases and for its role in reducing “bad” cholesterol.

Our Selection

• Organic food argan oil: Torrefied, 100% pure, cold-pressed.

• Organic olive oil: 100% pure, cold-pressed.

• Amlou: Prepared with argan oil, almond powder and honey. To be served spread on bread, crepes or on top of ice-cream, for breakfast or as a snack.

• Taliouine saffron: Spice made from crocus flowers, Taliouine’s “red gold”.

Find out more about the benefits of the Argan oil used in cosmetics.