Don’t tell Ponce de León, but the Fountain of Youth might be located in Queens. After all, it’s where the company Culinary Argan Oil is located.
True to its name, this Forest Hills-based importer sells Extra Virgin Culinary Argan Oil, which mixes a nutty flavor with several potential health benefits. It’s undiluted, pure, and organic certified.
Sold via CAO’s website, the product comes in 8.1-ounce (250 ml) ultraviolet (biophotonic) glass bottles with sealed caps.
Here’s the fun part. The oil is wild-harvested in the Argan Bio-Reservoir near Taroudant, a city in southern Morocco. Workers remove the shelled fruits from the argan trees and crack them by hand. The kernels are roasted and the batches are cold-pressed and produced via a filtration process.
The result is an oil full of Unsaturated Fatty Acids, Omega 6+9, and Vitamin E. Plus, the argan nut is really a stone fruit. So consumption should not be a problem for those with nut allergies.
Health benefits include lower cholesterol, prevention and/or management of diabetes, anticoagulation to minimize heart disease, treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, and even safety from prostate cancer. It also treats disorders linked to menopause.
Editor’s note: Look for the Culinary Argan Oil at Queens Taste 2025.
According to CAO’s website, vegan schnitzel with a filling of cheese and pesto is much enhanced by a bit of Culinary Argan Oil. Here are some other foods that scream for the product. Click for more info and the recipes.
Zucchini Muffins
Buckwheat and Smoked Salmon Fresh Spring Rolls with Watercress
Grilled Caciocavallo and Zucchini with Chinese Sauce
Carpaccio of Red Sea Bream and Grapefruit
Argan Oil Whipped Cream for Shrimp Cocktails
Argan Oil Dip with Avocado and Perilla for Hamburger
Coriander and Fried Sakura Shrimp Salad
Salmon Mikyu
Potato Soup
Baked Cinnamon Apples
Roasted Beets with Pomegranates and Goat Cheese
Chili Pepper Stuffed with Avocado, Pomegranate & Argan Oil Vinegarette
Maple Mustard Asparagus and Brussel Sprouts
Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl
Avocado Wrapped In Prosciutto Ham with a Side Of Frisee Salad
Goujonnettes de Halibut with Wine Vinegar and Argan Oil
Editor’s note: For years argan oil has been used as an additive to hair and skin products. It still is great for split ends, chapped lips, stretch marks, acne, and eczema, but the product in this post is the culinary version.
Images: Culinary Argan Oil