Oil, canola

Fun Facts

1. Canola is herbaceous plant that can reach 3 to 6 feet in height.
2. Canola has oval-shaped, bluish-green leaves that partially clasp the stem. They are hairy at the edges.
3. Canola produces small yellow flowers that are rich source of nectar which attracts bees – main pollinators of the flowers.
4. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (stamens and pistil) and they are capable for self-pollination (when cross-pollination is not possible).
5. Fruit of canola is pod. It looks like a pea pod, but it is 5 times smaller. Pod contains 20, black or brown round seed.
6. Canola seed consist of oil (more than 40%) and meal. Canola oil is composed of monounsaturated fatty acids (that are able to decrease “bad”, LDL cholesterol in human body) and omega-3 fatty acids (that act beneficially on the heart).
7. Canola meal is rich source of proteins. It is used as animal feed for cows, horses, sheep, pigs and chickens.
8. It takes around 50 pounds of canola seed for the extraction of 10 liters of oil. Canola oil is used for cooking and as an ingredient of salads in human diet. This oil is very popular due to mild taste and nutrients that act beneficially on the human health.