What is Canola?
Canola’s history goes back to the rapeseed plant, but canola and rapeseed are not the same. Canola and rapeseed have different chemical compositions, therefore the names cannot be used interchangeably. In 1970’s, Canadian plant breeders produced canola through traditional plant breeding techniques. The major differences are reduced levels of both glucosinolates (which contribute to the sharp taste in mustard and rapeseed) and licosenic and erucic acids (two fatty acids not essential for human growth) in Canola. “Canola” then, refers worldwide to varieties with two percent or less erucic acid in the oil and 30 micromoles per gram or less of the normally measured glucosinolates in the meal. Canada’s canola services major markets and is internationally recognized as the industry forerunner in terms of quality. In Canada, rapeseed is now only grown under special contract and is used for industrial purposes.
