Argan oil
Oil from the kernels of the fruit of the argan tree, which grows only in the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve in south-western Morocco. The practices and know-how concerning the argan tree have been on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage since 2014.
What it is
Argan oil is obtained exclusively from the kernels of the fruit of the argan tree. The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is endemic: it grows only in the woodlands of the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve in Morocco. Its fruit is a green, egg-shaped drupe about the size of a small plum, and inside the stone sits an oil-rich kernel.
In the cooking of the Chleuh, the Amazigh of the south-west, argan oil takes the place, according to the encyclopaedia of the Amazigh, that olive oil holds among other Amazigh; it goes into many dishes and pastries. One of them is amlou, a paste of almonds, argan oil and honey. According to UNESCO, the oil is used in cooking and in cosmetics.
Where it comes from
The Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve was designated in 1998; it covers some 2.5 million hectares between the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas and opens onto the Atlantic in the west. The area of the protected indication “Argane” runs along the coast from north of Essaouira to south of Tiznit, more than 100 kilometres inland and up to 1,500 metres altitude, mainly on the southern slopes of the High Atlas and the northern slopes of the Anti-Atlas. It includes communes in Essaouira, Taroudant, Tiznit, Agadir-Ida-Outanane, Inezgane-Aït Melloul, Chtouka-Aït Baha, Safi, Chichaoua and Guelmim.
History
In 2009 the Ministry of Agriculture recognised the protected geographical indication “Argane”, applied for by the Association marocaine de l’indication géographique de l’huile d’argane (AMIGHA). In 2014 UNESCO inscribed “Argan, practices and know-how concerning the argan tree” on its Representative List. Since 21 December 2018 the FAO has counted the argan-based agro-pastoral system among the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, and in 2021 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 10 May the International Day of Argania.
How it is made
According to UNESCO, it is mainly rural women, and to a lesser extent men, who extract the oil in the traditional way: harvesting, drying, removing the pulp, crushing, sorting, milling and mixing. The hand mill used for this is made by local craftspeople, and during mixing lukewarm water is added little by little in exact amounts. The knowledge is passed on through imitation, from mothers to daughters.
For the protected indication, the fruits are gathered between June and the end of September, dried in the sun and stored for no more than 36 months; the pulp may be removed by hand or by machine, and the oil is produced by artisanal or semi-mechanised methods. All steps from gathering to bottling must take place within the protected area.
When
Argan oil is given as a wedding gift and used in many festive dishes. Every year 10 May is the International Day of Argania.
How to recognise it
Oil with the protected indication bears the words “Argane” together with “Indication géographique protégée” or “IGP”, the official logo and the inspection body. For flavour, the order names roasted kernels; levels of fatty acids and tocopherols are also specified.
At a glance
- Moroccan Arabic
- argan, the argan tree
- Intangible cultural heritage
- UNESCO, since 2014
- Biosphere reserve
- Arganeraie, UNESCO, since 1998
- Protected indication of origin
- PGI “Argane”, order no. 2816-09 of 20 November 2009
- International day
- 10 May, United Nations International Day of Argania
Where it comes from
When you come across it
Goes with it
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Last checked on 27 Oct 2026. 7 sources, 5 of them primary (authority, UNESCO, operator).