Canola was developed through conventional plant breeding from rapeseed, an oilseed plant already used in ancient civilisation as a fuel. The word "rape" in rapeseed comes from the Latin word rapum meaning turnip. Turnip, rutabaga, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mustard, and many other vegetables are related to the two natural canola varieties commonly grown, which are cultivars of Brassica napus and Brassica rapa. The change in name serves to distinguish it from natural rapeseed oil, which has much higher erucic acid content.
Brassica oilseed varieties are some of the oldest plants cultivated by humanity, with documentation of its use in India 4,000 years ago, and use in China and Japan 2,000 years ago. Its use in Northern Europe for oil lamps is documented to the 13th century. Its use was limited until the development of steam power, when machinists found rapeseed oil clung to water- or steam-washed metal surfaces better than other lubricants. Canola oil is made at a processing facility by slightly heating and then crushing the seed. It is one of the most commonly used vegetable oils for culinary purposes.
The young plant greens (seen below) are edible and have an agreeable, savoury flavour. The tender hearts can be eaten raw, or more commonly stir-fried, or blanched and served with a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing.
This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
I had no idea where canola oil came from.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information, and the photo, and thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/06/glowing.html
I never thought much about where food products come from, so thanks for the heads-up about canola!
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week! Thanks for linking up.
I didn't know either, but now I do...Michelle
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