What Is Rapeseed?
Rapeseed, scientifically known as Brassica napus, is a flowering plant that belongs to the mustard family, Brassicaceae, making it a close relative of familiar vegetables like cabbage and broccoli. It is cultivated primarily for its seeds, which are rich in oil. These seeds are processed to produce rapeseed oil—also widely known as canola oil—a common ingredient in cooking and food products due to its light flavor and nutritional value. Beyond culinary uses, rapeseed oil serves an industrial role, being transformed into lubricants, biodiesel, and other products. The extraction process also yields a valuable by-product: a protein-rich meal that is used as animal feed, making rapeseed a versatile and economically significant crop.
