I know these pictures look like the Windows desktop stock photos but I had to put them in anyway. I was driving south of Calgary, towards Priddis, and was met by this sight. There were vehicles lined up on the side of the road waiting patiently as their drivers stopped to capture the scene with their cameras. I drove up the road a ways to a quieter spot with and equally brilliant view. It hardly seemed real as I stood and took it all in.
Is that mustard or canola?
HI Dr.F, these are canola fields. There are lots of them in Alberta and around Calgary. They are one of my favourite parts of late spring/early summer, such a large and beautiful display of renewal.
Actually they are “Rapeseed” fields. The word “Canola” was created to sell the oil without using the term “rape” which some people feared might be a turn off to buyers. The rape part of the word actually comes from the latin word rapum which means turnip. The wiki page is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canola
It is, and it isn’t.
Canola is derived from “rapeseed”, but this crop has been genetically modified to take the unpleasant bitterness out of the rapeseed oil by a group of Canadian scientists. Hence, “Can” for Canada, and “ola” for oil.
A near perfect lipid profile, and a clear nice taste, and it’s inexpensive. I’m a big fan of science! And of canola, the only other cooking oil I use besides olive oil.
There’s still quite a debate in Europe over Canola oil.
The processing turns the Omega-3 oils into trans-fatty-acids which damage the heart.
(Trans means it has a longer shelf life when it comes into contact with oxygen).
I still use the Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil – (cold pressed)
We don’t see Canola Oil. Most food producers stay clear of it.
I love seeing the fields full of bright yellow Rapeseed in the UK.
But it makes me sneeze for ages !
Now I know why my car has a pollen filter.
Close the windows !!
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent set of pictures. Nothing wrong with a bit of green and blue, isn’t that what this beautiful planet is all about?
I loved the comment feed on this POD. Some really great information that I did not know! Thanks for all of your input.