Journal

Tradition Meets Transformation: The Living Craft of Argan Oil

From timeless Moroccan craft to today’s labs, IMAANI preserves argan oil’s heritage with certified quality and social innovation for the future.

In the rugged landscapes of southwestern Morocco, argan oil has long been a graceful thread weaving together heritage, community, and nature. From the hands of Berber grandmothers to today’s artisanal labs, this “liquid gold” continues to evolve—yet its soul remains rooted deeply in tradition.

Generations of Craft: The Traditional Process

For centuries, argan oil was crafted exclusively by hand. Berber women gathered fallen fruit from the Argania spinosa tree, dried it under the Moroccan sun, cracked the kernels open with stones, and ground them into a thick paste from which precious oil was slowly extracted. This was a labor of love—time-consuming, communal, and sacred. It was in these small courtyards that knowledge was passed from grandmother to mother to daughter, ensuring the craft lived on.

Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, this timeless process preserved more than oil; it preserved identity, resilience, and a living bond between people and their land.

Enter Modernity—With Reverence

Today, the growing global appreciation for argan oil has transformed production.

  • Artisanal Meets Scientific: Modern facilities now use cold-press technology that enhances yield and safeguards purity, while retaining the nutritional richness of the oil.

  • Hygienic Excellence: Dedicated laboratories ensure that each batch meets strict international quality standards, with full traceability from cooperative to final product.

  • Structured Ecosystem: Where once production was entirely domestic, today’s argan oil industry balances household harvesters, women’s cooperatives, and private producers within a formalized supply chain.

Yet, despite the move toward scale and science, the spirit of the oil remains artisanal—a bridge between timeless craft and modern stewardship.

 

IMAANI’s Response: Integrity in Every Drop

At IMAANI, we hold this heritage with reverence and ensure that tradition and modernity coexist in balance. Our approach to sourcing and production is guided by three core commitments:

  • Ethical Partnerships: We work exclusively with trusted Moroccan producers and cooperatives that uphold the highest ethical standards. This includes adherence to internationally recognized certifications in quality, sustainability, and fair trade.

  • Rigorous Standards: Every step of the process—from harvesting to cold-pressing to packaging—is conducted in facilities that meet strict health, safety, and environmental guidelines. Each product we create reflects this uncompromising commitment to purity and integrity.

  • Social Innovation for the Future: Beyond today’s needs, we are investing in programs designed to ensure the continuity of argan cultivation and the well-being of the communities who process it. These initiatives focus on generational knowledge transfer, economic empowerment for women, and ecological stewardship to safeguard Morocco’s argan forests for years to come.

For us, argan oil is not only a luxury ingredient—it is a legacy. And legacies must be protected. 

Balancing Timeless Craft With Global Demand

The argan tree provides a livelihood for nearly 2 million people in Morocco, the majority of them women. But challenges remain: drought, ecological strain, and unequal market access all place this resource at risk. By supporting ethical production and investing in sustainability, brands like IMAANI help protect both the land and the livelihoods tied to it.

The journey of argan oil—from stone crushers in sunlit courtyards to the precision of modern artisanal labs—reflects Morocco itself: timeless, evolving, resilient. With IMAANI, each drop carries not only beauty but also integrity, sustainability, and a promise to generations yet to come.