NEWS ARCHIVE 2000/2001
[ NEWS ARCHIVE: 2002/2003 ]
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October 2001 - Here's Health
Fair Trade Aid

Moroccan Argan oil is a nutritious, healing oil - and its production is now helping to save the endangered tree it comes from, and support women in Morocco.
Ruth Hajioff from London is setting up a fair trade women's project in Morocco to produce Argan oil. 'I enjoyed Argan oil, in cooking and massage, many times in Morocco, and decided to find out more about it,' says Ruth. 'When I learnt that the Argan tree now only grows in one small area of Morocco, I wanted to help. The oil has many purposes - it can help conditions such as rheumatism and is great for skin, hair and nails. Seeds from the fruit are hand-crushed by Berber women using stones. I realized this was a great opportunity to help improve the Berber women's socio-economic conditions and support conservation. I was filmed in an interview to be presented to the King of Morocco, who is interested in the project.'
Our Argan oil co-operative is a great way to improve workers' conditions and support conservation,' says Ruth.

9. August 2001 - Time Out
It's the new black… says Rachael Philips

[...] The great thing about Argan oil is that, unlike a lot of other delicious toasted nut oils it's got all the ' right' oils in it. It's high in mono & polyunsaturated fats, and linoleic acid, (an alleged antioxidant). Check out the fridges in health stores and you'll find bottles of flax oil, and Udo's Choice, packed with similarly 'healthful' oily benefits, but this way you get to enjoy tasting the stuff.
Snap it up and drizzle over summer salads, grilled goats cheese, or just dip a hunk of bread into it [...]

4. August 2001 - The Telegraph 'Weekend'
'Argan oil from the arid wastes of Morocco is the latest deli delight', says Simon Brooke

[...] Argan oil is just now available in Britain and is set to become the smartest thing that you can drizzle over char-grilled vegetables, or toss a salad in. 'It is very trendy in France', says Daniel Mortimer of Mortimer and Bennett. 'I've been stocking it for the past few months, but only now has it started disappearing off the shelves'. Mourad Mazouz, owner of Momo's restaurant suggests using it on grilled peppers, or with 'amfouer' , a salad served on dried bread. He may also stir it into couscous.
'It's so unusual that people in other parts of Morocco haven't heard of it', says Ruth Hajioff, whose company, Wild Wood Groves, has begun importing the oil. 'I eat it for breakfast on bread when I go there'. The oil, is a dark amber colour, with a strong toasted, nutty flavour.
Environmentalists are concerned about the Argan's prospects. The number of trees has halved in the past 150 years, partly because the wood, known as Moroccan ironwood has been coveted for furniture design. But Ruth Hajioff hopes that increased development of the oil will improve the Argan's chances of survival so more of us can experience this remarkable tasting substance [...] http://www.momoresto.com