Volume 12
Knowledge and Practices concerning Nature and the Universe
Liquid Gold: Berber Women and the Argan Oil Co-operatives in Morocco
Liquid Gold: Berber Women and the Argan Oil Co-operatives in Morocco
The argan tree grows mostly in Morocco. Its fruit is an oval berry, the shape of a large and round olive.
From left to right: dried argan fruits, pits and kernels.
Oil extraction machines produce argan oil efficiently.
Pressing is consistently kneading the dough until the emulsion separates from the solid dough. The emulsion is then decanted and filtered
Argan oil soaps and moisturisers are popular souvenirs for tourists.
Argan trees are frequently climbed on by goats.
The bed stone remains stationary when the runner stone rotates, and through the ‘eye’ in the runner stone, the kernels are funneled down and ground.
A millstone comprises a runner stone lodged on top of a bed stone, but millstones for dried goods (first from the left) or for argan oil are shaped slightly different.
Berber women milling, pit-cracking and pressing are depicted on a cooperative’s wall.
Pits have to be cracked open with a hammer stone to retrieve the kernels inside.
A pounder and an anvil are needed for de-pulping.