Canola oil comes from the crushed seeds of the Canola plant. Canola is part of the Brassica family. Cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower are also part of this same botanical family. Each Canola plant grows from 3 to 6 feet (1 m -2 m) tall and produces beautiful yellow flowers. As the plant matures, pods that form are similar in shape to pea pods, but about 1/5th the size. Each Canola plant grows from 3 to 6 feet (1 m -2 m) tall and produces beautiful yellow flowers.
Once harvested, Canola seeds are taken to a facility where they are crushed to extract the oil contained within the seed. This oil is then further refined and bottled as Canola oil. Basic characteristics of this cooking oil include a pale golden color, light texture, neutral taste and high heat tolerance. The average Canola seed is 45% oil. The remainder of the seed, which is very high in protein, is processed into Canola meal and used as a high quality animal feed.
Canola is grown primarily in the Prairie regions, Ontario and the Pacific Northwest of Canada. Smaller volumes are also grown in the North-central and South-eastern United States.