MOROCCO IN THE TOP THREE OF "Most Friendly Countries"

Once you have been here, you know, but it is nice to see it in figures too!
Just how friendly are Moroccan people? 
In a report from this month published by the World Economic Forum you can find where you can expect to meet the worlds most unfriendly people, and the most friendly of course!

Read more about it and the ranking in The view from Fez:

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Morocco in Top Three "Most Friendly Countries":

ESSAOUIRA AND THE ARGAN TREE

About a week or so ago some of you won a bottle of Argan oil. 
The oil from the Argan tree, a tree only growing in Morocco and a tree so special that it is capable to heal it s own wounds...



when driving between Essaouira and Marrakech, youoften can't believe your eyes! Goats just adore Arganbolster leaving the nuts because they are too hard!Local women come and collect them to produce the oil.

Argan oil and the history of the Berbers, the residents of Southwest Morocco, share a long history together.
They have used the Argan tree for hundreds of years as a source of food, firewood and building material. 
The use of the argan oil is probably the most notable. After initially been used in the age old traditional medicine, Argan oil is currently a popular ingredient in the Berber and Moroccan gastronomy. 
Usually eaten as a paste , made of Argan oil and almond paste, like "peanut butter". 

Argan oil in Figures:
The local population receives 25% of their daily requirement of the Argan tree. 
Inhabitants of the area between Marrakech and Essaouira spend 20 million working days a year to winning the oil over 800,000 working days to collect firewood.
The tree produces oval-shaped nuts with 2 to 3 cores in the bolsters. The Argan nut is known as one of the hardest nuts. Machines that are designed to break the nut have failed to break it in the right way. So mainly the breaking of the nuts is still a labor done by rural women.The released cores are slightly toasted whereby the eccentric, unique flavor is released. Mixing the obtained paste with water causes forces the oil to shift from the rest so that it can be won. 
It takes 15-20 hours to complete at 2 ½ pounds of paste that produces  a litre of argan oil.

Argan oil is exported by just 1 country in the world, namely Morocco. 

Argan oil and your health:
Morocco and more specific mainly the area around Essaouira is the only place where the tree is currently (still) growing. However the export of the Argan oil is distributed by distributors from Europe and North America.
Every year in the area around Essaouira about 1000 to 2000 tons of Argan oil is produced. It is estimated that about 60 000 to 120 000 trees every year deliver around 142 to 286 million nuts.
The oil, also called the liquid gold, is good for your beauty and health.
Argan oil contains no less than 80% unsaturated fatty acids and is especially rich in omega 6.
It therefor reduces the cholesterol level and works well on cellulite.  
 You can take it as a supplement or use cosmetics in which the oil is processed. 

Even easier, however, is simply use it in your cooking. 
Argan oil has a separate nutty taste and blends perfectly with salads, couscous, tagine and carpaccio.


Argan oil and cosmetics:
In the cosmetic industry we often see the use of Argan oil in the fight against aging skin and wrinkles. Also against acne, eczema, burns, stretch marks and scars it works wonders. 
It softens the skin increasing firmly it's elasticity. 
Argan oil contains no less than 80% unsaturated fatty acids and is especially rich in omega 6.