Argan, the natural treasure of south-west Morocco. It's an endemic fruit much sought after for its cosmetic and therapeutic virtues, but even less for its culinary uses. Thus, the following question arises: how to use Argan oil in cooking?

Indeed, the indigenous population of Morocco (Amazigh) used Argan oil for centuries in their daily food traditions. So far, delightful Moroccan specialities are prepared using this natural oil such as Tagines, salads, Couscous with corn and fish (Baddaz) but especially to prepare Amlou.

Here at Riad Sable Chaud we use it of course!
We can teach you how to use Argan oil in some special recipes that you can redo once back home. Following the recommendations of our chef, you will use Argan oil to prepare traditional dishes, highly nutritious, rich in flavor, with a typical oriental taste and a strong smell.

Moreover, if you are more interested in this Moroccan fruit, you will find in Marrakech a lot of good addresses to learn more about argan oil production. Indeed, Marrakech is home to several women's cooperatives specialized in Argan products. Whether for cosmetic or food use, you will witness this ancestral manufacturing chain. This process begins with the pulping of the nuts (previously collected and dried). The craftswomen crack the argan cores to extract the pulps, then they roast them in case of edible oil. Next, the women use traditional hand mill to crush the pulps. The resulting paste will be kneaded for long hours to obtain the oil. Finally, the pure oil is obtained after decantation and filtering of the residues. We can suggest to our hosts our trusted places to buy organic Argan products from Morocco.

Some more info:

Here in Bab Doukkala, one of lively and charming neighbourhood of the Medina of Marrakech where our Riad is located, we share a time of life and a real atmosphere. Nothing just for tourists. Look these pictures: daily little markets where is possible to buy fresh products, children playing in the streets, little traditional shops and stands, tailors able to sew shirts and caftans in a day, mosques.
In the Riad Sable Chaud, immersed in this breathtaking quarter, step by step, it is possible to find out unique and striking corners. A traditional bakery, located in front of the Riad, where all day long women cook the traditional bread. This fresh bread smell is the first thing in the morning waking you up. Together with bread, also cakes, focaccias and further tasty delicacies handmade by our cook.

Exceptional shopping experience in the medina of Marrakech!

This street is well worth the ten or fifteen minutes walk through an old part of the medina, a popular route from the new town to the main souks, it comprises a local market. No “hard sell” of the tourist souks here!
Between the Bab Doukkala gate and its antique mosque,
Along the street, you will be immerged in an impressive atmosphere of colours and oriental scent. You will also enjoy the souks and bazars to do your shopping, one of the main attractions in Marrakech. A real fun!
Butchers specialising in lamb, beef or offal. Vegetable and fruit sellers, fishmongers and the somewhat disturbing live chicken outlets. Choose your poultry and have it dispatched, machine plucked and dismembered in front of you! Stalls selling small but deliciously sweet local bananas, a variety of melons, and perfectly ripe plum tomatoes and strawberries line the avenue. This is a mostly covered market, welcoming in the shade.
There are also haberdasheries and ironmongers, a pet shop (very unusual for Marrakech) which has well cared for tropical fish, fancy pigeons and Syrian hamsters. For a short lunchtime break there are a few small cafes, including a fish snack bar. Not to forget the mattress stuffers shops!

A perfect location for visiting the ochre city!

Bab Doukkala the ideal place in the Medina of Marrakech to discover the two faces of this wonderful city: the popular and antique one and the contemporaneus.
A quarter of an hour from Bab Doukkala through narrow alleys of Medina, you will arrive at the Djema El Fnaa Square. This mythical square will welcome you in the midst of its artists, folklore groups and open-air restaurants to enjoy memorable moments.
Ten minutes from Bab Doukkala, you will find both the Majorelle Gardens with its outstanding plants and the modern districts of Gueliz and Hivernage with their international boutiques, shopping centres, restaurants.
Five minutes from the riad - at the Bab Doukkala gate- the bus station and the taxi park where is possible to fastly reach Palmeraie with its pools and golf camps. You will find also guys with traditional carts to help you with your luggage.