What Is Canola Oil, Really?

Canola oil is one of those things we’ve taken for granted. We’ve been blissfully reaping the golden, brown, and delicious rewards of a fryer filled with the stuff without ever stopping to ask: What is canola? Are they doing okay? 

Think about the other oils in our lives. We’re at least familiar with their sources—olive oil is made from olives, sesame oil is made from sesame seeds, etc. But could you pick canola out of a lineup? Enough with the ignorance! Let’s talk canola oil. 

What is canola oil?

Canola oil is oil made from the seeds of the canola plant. “Okay, but wtf is a canola plant?” We’ll get there. 

What is the canola plant?

We got there! See? Patience is a virtue. The canola plant is a member of the mustard family, and is formally known as Brassica Napus. Ms. Napus is one of the most widely grown crops in Canada. It’s such a big deal that the “can” part of canola comes from “Canada,” with “ola” meaning oil. But, the plant is also prominent in the U.S. and Europe, and produces tiny yellow flowers that develop into pods containing little black seeds that are almost 50% oil.

Are canola oil and rapeseed oil the same?

They’re similar, but canola is the product of crossbreeding to remove specific traits from the rapeseed plant. But, like Zack and Cody, the plants are identical on the outside while different on the inside. The canola plant is a dead-ringer for the rapeseed plant in terms of appearance, but canola has lower levels of glucosinolates (sulfur-containing compounds found in vegetables like broccoli and cabbage) and erucic acid. 

Are canola oil and vegetable oil the same?

Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil, since “vegetable oil” is a general term for plant-derived oils, and can be a blend of such oils like corn, soybean, or sunflower oil. So, all canola is vegetable oil, but not all rectangles are squares. Or something like that. 

Is canola oil a seed oil?

Yes. Canola oil is made from a seed, ergo it is a seed oil. Here’s more about seed oils, if you’re interested. 

Why is canola oil banned in Europe?

It isn’t! But we can see why you thought that. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has voiced concern about erucic acid (and its potential effects like heart damage), but never officially called for a ban on canola oil. 

How is canola oil made?

When a mommy canola and a daddy canola love each other very much—wait, that’s not it. In actuality, the process is pretty similar to that of other seed oils. The canola seeds are cleaned to remove stems, pods, weed seeds, and bad vibes. Machines heat and flake the seeds, which go through a series of cookers or heating drums. They’re then put through expellers or pressers to remove oil, then through an extractor to remove even more oil, which is then refined and processed before being packaged, distributed, and used in a fryers galore to crisp up tater tots and fix the world’s problems. 

Is canola oil gluten free?

Generally, yes, canola is gluten free. But any oil could potentially come into contact with gluten during a point in the manufacturing process, so it never hurts to check the label to see if something is certified gluten-free. It’s also worth noting that canola oil is a common oil for frying, but many restaurants may not have a designated gluten-free fryer. So while the oil itself may be gluten free, the same container of oil may be used for breaded or battered items as well as gluten-free ones. As celiacs know all too well, always check to make sure.