Argan Oil

This is a precious comodity and an important product of Morocco 

Supposedly in the past goats were fed the argon nuts. They would digest the outer layer and the nut would be collected for processing . The nuts are cracked and the inner kernal is used to create the oil.

These ladies are demonstrating how the oil was produced. 

Many women's co-operatives have developed specifically for tourism where one can see the traditional methods of preparing the nuts. The oil is used in cosmetics and when toasted it is used in cooking.

Argan trees only grow in south-west Morocco and they are now protected a UNESCO biosphere reserve

Goats stunt the trees and are no longer used to digest the outer layer but are fed this once it has been removed.  As one drives along there are goats in a few trees on the road side, but this is simply a photo oportunity for tourists. One that really cannot be resisited!