Oleg Zabluda's blog
Monday, July 09, 2012
 
Jojoba (pronounced "Hohoba", not, as erroneously written on Russian wikipedia as "Жожоба"), is one of the few native...
Jojoba (pronounced "Hohoba", not, as erroneously written on Russian wikipedia as "Жожоба"), is one of the few native North American desert plants, that can be cultivated (for its unique oil, used in cosmetics) in a desert without irrigation (the bush has 40 ft deep roots). It is currently the Sonoran Desert's second most economically valuable native plant, after Washingtonia palms, used in landscaping.

The ban on importing whale oil to the US in 1971 led to the discovery that jojoba oil is very similar chemically to the highly prized sperm-whale oil, and in many regards superior to it. At that time US federal government started giving "7:1 tax incentive" to jojoba desert farmers (освоение целины), which triggered mad "gold rush" for jojoba tax write-offs.

Jojoba oil is widely and easily available, so, if you always dreamed about getting Spermaceti (Спермацет), just get jojoba oil instead. It could also be used as green, renewable, AGW-friendly $640/gal bio-diesel. 

Jojoba oil was first produced commercially during WWII, as a high-temperature lubricant, because it is stable up to 300 C and does not become rancid even after decades of storage. Current world production is 3500 metric tons per year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jojoba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jojoba_oil

"California Gold" (1991-current) is a PBS travel program that explores the numerous natural, cultural and historical wonders of the Golden State, is a goldmine for amateur regional historians (Краеведов-любителей), like us. Relevant episode:

California's Gold #11014 - JOJOBA

Huell Howser visits with Larry and Donna Charpied at their 10-acre "La Ronna Jojoba Company" farm (http://www.laronnajojoba.com/) located in the Eagle Mountain CA / Desert Center CA of Eastern Riverside County, in the shadow of Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness.

http://www.calgold.com/calgold/Default.asp?Series=11000&Show=1077
watch episode free here:
http://ec.libsyn.com/p/3/4/d/34d3939194ade712/hhpcg11014.mp4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California's_Gold
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jojoba_oil

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