Argan oil, traditionally produced and used by Moroccan Berbers, was discovered by industry a few decades ago and has now conquered the European markets. This applies to both the food sector and the cosmetics industry. At comparatively high prices that will beMoroccan goldSold as a cooking ingredient and as a dietary supplement and promises not only a pleasant taste but also various health benefits. Also in the field of cosmetics there is hardly a branch in which care products that contain argan oil are not also offered. But everything that glitters is always gold. This article is intended to highlight the extent to which the relatively expensive argan oil is actually superior to other oils due to its special qualities and in which cases you can confidently resort to the cheaper alternative..
Overview:
What is argan oil
How is argan oil made
What is argan oil good for??
How healthy is argan oil?
What does argan oil taste like and what do you eat it with??
How to care for skin and hair with argan oil?
Conclusion
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is obtained from the kernels of the North African argan fruit. The so-calledArganeraie, in which the argan trees are traditionally grown and used, is located in the Serbian-dominated southwest of Morocco and was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1998. Argan oil is considered to be particularly health-promoting and is used as an edible oil and dietary supplement as well as in hair and skin care.
Argan oil contains around 80 unsaturated and 20 saturated fatty acids, which are made up as follows:n:
|
42-55% |
Oleic acid |
|
30-34% |
Linoleic acid |
|
12-18% |
Palmitic acid |
|
2-7% |
Stearic acid |
How is argan oil made?
Traditionally, Serbian women collect the naturally ripened argan fruits that are already lying on the ground and transport them home in baskets or sacks, sometimes with the help of wooden carts, where they are further processed. To produce oil, the seeds are removed from the fruits, roasted, ground and then mixed with boiling water. With constant stirring, the argan oil then comes out. This knowledge of the traditional use of the argan tree has been considered an intangible cultural heritage of humanity since 2014.
For industrial production nowadays, however, vibrating and pressing machines are often used in order to be able to harvest the fruits faster and extract the oil more effectively. Not all kernels are roasted in industrial oil extraction. For example, argan oil from fresh seeds is often used in the manufacture of cosmetic products. The extraction takes place here partly with the aid of a volatile lipophilic solvent.
What is argan oil good for??
Argan oil is mainly used in the kitchen and for personal hygiene. The cooking oil obtained from roasted argan seeds is mainly used in the preparation of traditional Moroccan dishes and as a dressing or dip. Since argan oil has the reputation of having many health-promoting properties, which are supposed to prevent high cholesterol levels and various cancers, it is also consumed as a dietary supplement.
This is what argan oil is used for:
- Cosmetic products
- Hair treatments
- Creams
- dressing
- Dips
For cosmetic products, the oil that is extracted from raw, unroasted argan kernels is usually used. Lots of moisturizing hair treatments andCreams with argan oilthat are sold worldwide now contain argan oil. Since it also has an anti-inflammatory effect, it is also used specifically to prevent and combat many different skin diseases in addition to the usual care routine for skin and hair.
How healthy is argan oil
Argan oil mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids, the consumption of which usually has a positive effect on the digestive system. For example, the intestinal mucosa is strengthened by monounsaturated fatty acids and is therefore less prone to irritation, inflammation and various diseases. Even some cancers can be prevented to a certain extent by consuming such oils instead of saturated fatty acids, which are often found in products of animal origin. Studies have also shown that replacing animal fats, such as in butter, with argan oil lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the blood. In this context, the risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases can sometimes be reduced.
These positive effects of the monounsaturated fatty acids are not exclusive properties of the moderately expensive argan oil, but apply equally to many other vegetable oils. Critics also criticize the high content of polyunsaturated linoleic acid in argan oil, which makes up a good 30 of its fatty acid composition. The monounsaturated oleic acid comes to about 45, which makes up over 70 in the comparatively cheap olive oil. Phytosterols, which contribute to lowering cholesterol levels, are not only contained in argan oil, but in double the amount in sea buckthorn oil, for example. The same applies to the content of vitamin E and tocopherols, which are contained, but not in significantly higher concentrations than in many other oils.en.
In Morocco, argan oil is traditionally used against rheumatism and various skin diseases. Ailments such as acne, dry skin and dandruff can be alleviated with the help of argan oil. The extent to which the quality of argan oil differs from other vegetable oils or not has not been clearly clarified here either.
What does argan oil taste like and what do you eat it with??
Argan oil, at least if it is to be used as an edible oil, is obtained from roasted argan seeds and has a very mild, nutty aroma. The oil from Morocco is suitable for the preparation of various sweet and savory dishes and is used in many ways, especially in traditional Berber cuisine.
Many spicy soups and stews based on legumes, mostly lentils, peas or chickpeas, are prepared with argan oil. This also applies to hummus, amlou and other dips that are typically found in Moroccan restaurants. Numerous salad dressings, whether vegan or with yogurt, are prepared with argan oil. Many North Africans also simply use it pure, for example to dunk bread in it. In addition, some desserts contain argan oil, often in combination with nuts and almonds.
In the meantime, argan oil is also consumed by many people in Europe for reasons of taste and health, for example as a component of smoothies and fruit puree.
How to care for skin and hair with argan oil?
The number and selection of care products that contain argan oil has grown immensely in the last few decades. Traditionally, the Moroccan Berbers in particular use the oil to grease their skin and hair and protect them from drying out. It is also used against acne and burns to alleviate the symptoms. In contrast to edible oil, oil for cosmetic products is usually obtained from fresh, unroasted kernels. Today it is found in various moisturizers, soaps, shower gels, shampoos and hair treatments. It is said to tighten the skin and even help against neurodermatitis. A special advantage of argan oil over other fats such as olive oil or cocoa butter is that it is non-comedogenic. So, unlike most other oils, it does not clog the pores, which is why it is particularly suitable for skin care without aggravating skin blemishes.
Conclusion
In summary, it can be said that argan oil is very versatile and has special qualities. In the field of nutrition, it turns out to be tasty and healthy. It has advantages over animal fats, which are high in saturated fat. However, it has not been proven that argan oil is actually healthier or easier to digest than other vegetable oils. From a health point of view, virgin olive oil can be used just as well as argan oil. In culinary terms, choosing the more expensive argan oil is justified when it comes to taste. In skin care, on the other hand, products containing argan oil can clearly outperform the comedogenic competition and contribute to the moisture and purity of the skin. At sober , the precious argan oil is under the name Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil) among other things in our moisturizing creamHydra Defense Cream.