Rapeseed, or Brassica napus variety napus, is a plant from the mustard family (Brassicaceae) grown for its seeds, which yield canola or rapeseed oil. This oil is variously used in cooking, as an ingredient in soap and margarine, and as a lamp fuel (colza oil).
Is rapeseed a good seed?
Rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.) is the largest oilseed crop in China and accounts for about 20% of world production. For the last 10 years, the production, planting area, and yield of rapeseed have been stable, with improvement of seed quality and especially seed oil content.
Where does rapeseed oil come from?
Rapeseed oil is obtained from both subspecies (Roth and Kormann 2000, p. 44; Hänsel et al. 1999, p. 255). Field mustard is a plant that grows naturally in temperate climes. It is best cultivated on rich, alkaline, either sandy or loamy soil with good water-retaining capacities. The largest growing areas are in China and India.
Is rapeseed oil a vegetable?
Today, rapeseed oil is one of the most commonly produced vegetable oils worldwide. Field mustard is one of the most important oil plants of temperate climes. The origins of Brassica napus probably lie in the region around the Baltic Sea and Russia. A distinction is made between winter and summer rape.