Yumello releases range of nut butters created with argan oil

Start-up Yumello aims to bring the vibrant flavours of the Atlas Mountains to the kitchens of Britain with its new range of nut butters.

Bristol-based Yumello’s portfolio consists four flavours: smooth salted date almond butter, salted date crunchy peanut butter, wild Atlas almond butter, and wild Atlas peanut butter.

Founders Esther and Omar Elhajji met while in Omar’s home of the Atlas Mountains. Esther travelled to Morocco from Barcelona to volunteer with a business harnessing the powers of argan oil for its cosmetic and nutritional qualities.

Unlike other nut butter producers which use palm oil, Yumello creates its products from argan oil, a product sourced from the kernels of the argania spinosa tree (a species native to Morocco).

Esther said: “I have always loved discovering new cultures, a friend had been on a trekking trip in the Atlas Mountains and told me that Berber villages are unlike anything we had experienced – the beautiful landscapes, the welcoming people and incredible food. I did some research and found out about the intriguing argan oil cooperatives – providing jobs for hundreds of women and empowering them both economically and socially.

“I wanted to be part of that and hopped on a plane direct to volunteer with an argan oil co-operative entirely run by women, where Omar was helping to make the production more efficient.”

Yumello’s products can be found in Harvey Nichols, Revital, Eat 17, Not on the High Street, The Grocery, Panzer’s Deli and in cafés and delis around the UK.

The 170g jars are available with a recommended retail price of £2.85 or £4.95.