Hmm...Europeans have been growing rape for what seems like 'forever',
and AFAIK it was only for human consumption.  In the mid-60's I recall
seeing what appeared as endless fields in bloom and being told it was
rape and it was made into cooking oil, margarine, etc.  I observed
those same fields for the next 25 years, always planted with the same
crop and it probably continues today.

I guess the word does not translate directly into the English word we
use for other purposes.

But...my understanding was that rape as grown in Europe was sowed in
the fall and harvested in early summer.  With their mild winters that
was feasible.  My understanding was that corn/sunflowers were not
feasible as a source for oil (as it is in the US and Canada) because
of their lack of hot weather.

However, rape oil has some advantages compared to corn/sunflower and
eventually someone developed varities that (1) could be overwintered
in our colder climates and (2) could be planted in the spring and
harvested the same year.  I understand that most planted in the US and
Canada is of the spring sown varities.

I have also heard before of the derivation of the Canola 'label' .
What I never heard before was that rape WAS NOT FIT FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION.  Is this one of the "bumble bee not being able to fly"
fables?   Did someone forget to tell Europeans, or did I get the story
totally wrong?  If so, what was the purpose of those endless fields?




--
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

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