El Argan oil can be a great ally in the kitchen. Their nutritional qualities but even more so is its social context. Today we discuss a story of empowerment of the female gender in the Rural morocco. Discover how this valuable liquid has achieved financial independence for a population traditionally relegated to the background.
Where is it obtained from?
First of all, women Tamazight (Berber) from the north of Morocco They gather the fruit of the argan tree. They do it in the only area of the world where it grows. That is, the strip between the semi-desert between the Atlantic coast and the Cordillera del Atlas. They wait for this mature and fall under its own weight. It is then dried after peel it off y unpull it. Thus, the fleshy outer layers are discarded and sold as food for goats. These friendly animals surprise tourists by climbing the branches of the tree to eat.
Now comes the heart of the matter. To crush the seed you must first crack it. This phase requires technique and great care. The key is to keep the inside of it intact. In addition, the producers are not there to drop seeds. One litre of oil require 40 kilos of fruit o 20 seeds.
The last step is the trituration. This is usually done using the method of their ancestors. It involves grinding it by hand in a mortar of stone. However, they also use automated machines to adapt to the increasing orders from other countries. These can produce between one and two liters in five minutes.
Its price scares
We are talking about the most valued oil in the world. Its price can amount to $ 300 per liter! It is surprising that just 20 years ago its production was limited to local villages in Morocco. However, the international market has gone from moving 200 liters a 3.000 tons yearly. This is mainly due to its popularity in cosmetic use. However, you can also use the argan oil in the kitchen. For this reason, sanitary controls must be exhaustive.
Empowerment of women at their source
We know that the moroccan culture it is much more patriarchal than the Spanish or Latin American. In addition, the situation intensifies in the rural. For this reason, it is at least curious how some Cooperatives run by women are turning the tables. Let's not forget that until 1956 women needed permission from the husband to go out in the Alawite kingdom. To top it off the argan tree was threatened and fewer and fewer copies remained. The women used its oil mainly for cooking.
An investigator named Zoubida Charrouf I was intrigued by the properties of the oil. I wanted to find out why the women who made it had a soft skin without wrinkles. When he finished his doctoral thesis in the late 80s on the tree, he tested its qualities moisturizers. So he formed a a cooperative with 16 women from the rural world to prepare and sell oil. The rest of the inhabitants of the area began to replicate the idea and organize themselves. Today three million people they subsist thanks to him.
The region's economy grew and those responsible and the main beneficiaries were women. He also came out winning the ecosystem, since the trees each time occupied a greater extension. This species is a guarantor that the area does not succumb to the desertification. What's more, its roots avoid erosion and allow the grass necessary for the grazing. In addition, the rest of the species in the habitat have also increased their respective populations.
Properties of argan oil in the kitchen
He 'Red Gold surpasses our beloved in several areas virgin olive oil extra as far as nutritional qualities are concerned. The presence of linoleic acid arrive at 37% in argan oil compared to a 7% in olive oil. It is an essential fatty acid that keeps cholesterol and blood pressure at bay. It is also rich in Vitamin E, which protects us from free radical. These cause many problems ranging from aging to diabetes to cancer.
Another important point is the presence of sterols, which have We take care of your rental property in Valencia. antitumor. The best way to take advantage of these virtues is to pour a little on our food once it has been prepared. It fits like a glove to a salad or one toast At breakfast. In addition, it enhances the flavor and aroma of meat and fish, it is very versatile really thanks to its flavor nut toast. You can use it on special occasions as a garnish gourmet.
Hopefully the brave of that prepare it thrive and survive competition from other oils adulterated of industrial origin. Despite all the advances, most have not yet reached the minimum salary stipulated. However, the argan oil in the kitchen is a good example of amazing female success.
