Our Oil

In every bottle or jar we produce, there’s a story. It begins long before it reaches your kitchen, and that is one that is rooted in the chalky soil of the Yorkshire Wolds where our core ingredient is grown.

Here we’re passionate about what we produce, taking pride in every step of the process from field to fork. We believe that provenance starts at the source, and as sustainable farmers and food producers we want to provide you with the comfort of knowing exactly what you are eating and where it came from.

We want to explain the exact meaning of everything that’s written on our bottles!

Cold Pressed?

There’s a difference in the rapeseed oils that you see on the shelves of the supermarket, deli or farm shop. One is rapeseed oil, and the other is cold pressed rapeseed oil. They both come from the same plant, but it’s how they are produced that makes that difference.

We press the small seeds that are harvested in early August, long after the Rapeseed crop has flowered in May. When harvested these seeds are dried and stored ready for pressing throughout the year, but it's how these are pressed that is important.

Cold Pressing means that the rapeseed is pressed in a natural, chemical-free way. A large screw-like device is used within the press to gently squeeze the oil from the rapeseed. Our oil is then naturally filtered a couple of times and before being sent down the bottling line where it’s bottled ready for you to use in your kitchen. These minimal production methods produce a richer flavour and a beautifully coloured oil, as well as a high smoke point, all so you can enjoy the full flavour and nutritional benefits it contains.

If a rapeseed oil is not cold pressed it may mean that chemicals have been used to extract even more oil from the seed, so it may not contain the goodness that makes rapeseed oil unique. It will also result in a neutral flavour and a light coloured oil.

 

Extra Virgin?

Some people think that the term Extra Virgin is exclusive to Olive Oil. Actually, Extra Virgin refers to ‘The First Press’, meaning that all our oil comes from the first pressing of the rapeseed.

Yorkshire?

Well, that bit speaks for itself! All Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil is produced using rapeseed from our farm or farms local to us (within a 10 mile radius!). Rapeseed grown on the chalky soil of the Yorkshire Wolds boasts a unique, delicious flavour, so it’s important to us that we keep it local!

Healthy?

Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil contains only half the saturated fat and 11 times the Omega 3 of olive oil. Omega oils are what are known as the healthy oils. Rapeseed oil is a great source of Omegas 3, 6 & 9, in the right combination to work together as your body needs them. It’s also rich in Vitamin E which can help protect our DNA and promote a healthy immune system. You can be assured that all our rapeseed is GM free as it’s all grown in the UK.

You can find out more about the health benefits of our cold pressed Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil here.

Cooking?

With its gentle nutty flavour and high smoke point, Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil is an ideal choice for all your culinary needs. Heating any oil past its smoke point gives our food a burnt flavour and smell. This is a substance called acrolein. It releases harmful free radicals which can damage cells. Our cold pressed rapeseed oil can be heated to around 220oC, which is much higher than extra virgin olive oil. Great for frying, baking, drizzling and dipping.

 

Have a look at our recipe pages for some inspiration.

Next time you buy a bottle or jar with Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil on it, know that you’re not only choosing something that tastes delicious, but you’re supporting sustainable farming, supporting a local business, and reducing food miles. Shop Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil - a taste you can trust.