Food-grade argan oil & amlou from Morocco
Our full selection, cold-pressed and hand-made by the women's cooperatives of the Souss: culinary argan oil, almond-and-honey amlou, and gift sets.
Food-grade argan oil and amlou: our two specialities
Trésors d'Atlas sells only two families of product, and that is deliberate: cold-pressed food-grade argan oil, and amlou, the Berber spread born from it. Both come from the same women's cooperatives in the Souss region of south-west Morocco — the only place on earth where the argan tree grows.
The oil is used raw, drizzled over a salad, grilled fish, roasted vegetables or a tagine. Amlou is eaten by the spoonful, on fresh bread, pancakes or yoghurt. One is a seasoning, the other a breakfast.
Why buy argan oil straight from the cooperative
Food-grade argan oil sold on supermarket shelves has usually passed through several intermediaries, and the gap between harvest and bottling is measured in months. Our kernels are pressed within 48 hours of harvest: that short window is what preserves the vitamin E and the toasted-hazelnut aroma.
Buying direct also means knowing who produced it. Our cooperatives are women's organisations in the Souss, where the cracking work — by far the longest part — is paid to the women who do it.
How to recognise authentic food-grade argan oil
Authentic culinary argan oil has a deep amber colour, a clear toasted-hazelnut smell, and sometimes a light natural sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Its ingredient list runs to one line: argan oil.
Be wary of very pale, odourless oils, of vague wording such as "with argan oil", and of prices that look too low: it takes close to 30 kg of fruit and a full day of hand work to produce one litre.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between food-grade and cosmetic argan oil?
Food-grade oil is pressed from toasted kernels, which gives it its hazelnut taste. Cosmetic oil is pressed from raw kernels and is not for eating. Trésors d'Atlas only sells food-grade oil.
How long does food-grade argan oil keep?
About two years unopened, and six months once opened. Store it away from light and heat with the cap closed — refrigeration is unnecessary.
What are the delivery times and costs?
Dispatched within 24 to 48 business hours, then 3 to 5 business days via pickup point (€4.90) or to your door (€6.90), or 1 to 2 business days with express (€12.90). Free delivery on orders over €60 in mainland France.
Can you cook with argan oil?
Better not to. Heat destroys its aroma and part of its nutritional value. Add it at the end of cooking or cold, like a finishing olive oil.