Oil Boon

February 10, 2009
i-genius
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Oil Boon

Oil Boon

a costly elixir

The goats of southwestern Morocco literally go out on a limb to find the nuts of the native argan tree, as do the region’s berbers. For centuries, they’ve been extracting oil from the nuts. The oil can be used as a seasoning (it has a nutty and pure flavour), skin moisturiser, hair softener, and as a treatment for acne. But now the oil generates a good source of income because scientists like consumers abroad have danced in its rich antioxidants and healthy fatty acids, for it has a bountiful of healthy benefits. The oil now reaches 30 pounds for a mere 8.5 ounces.

It was only a decade ago that only two cooperatives could be found producing argan oil, but today there are about a hundred employing around 4,000 women to handpick the nuts, which machines later crush for oil. However, the downside to the argan nuts is that the tree itself takes 25 years to bloom. Well, the best things in life are worth waiting for now aren’t they?!

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