Myth: Rape does not belong to the field
Agriculture has changed over time and one of the major changes has occurred since 1989. New possibilities, technologies and varieties have become unattainable, and this has made it possible to grow rape. The share of rapeseed on arable land today is about 16% and is not particularly high compared to other countries.
"Due to the high demand for oilseeds and good sales opportunities, rape is a sought-after commodity. In addition, rape enhances soil fertility and complements grapevine crops very well. E.g. Wheat grown after the rape has about 10% higher yields, while the rape is repaired by pathogens, " informs Ing. Zdeněk Jandejsek, CSc., President of the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic.
Myth: Rape is a poor quality field crop
Rape has a massive root system, deeper spice than alfalfa. 85% of the root mass is located in the ornate layer. This allows sufficient grounding of the soil, nutrients are bound and their losses are avoided. It enriches the soil with a large number of plant residues and improves the soil structure. Rape is about 11 months in the year, the longest since one-year crop, and so greatly helps to reduce wind and water erosion.
Myth: The rape is the same chemistry
Cultivation of practically all agricultural crops can not be done without chemical protection. Today's sprays include fertilizers, pesticides to protect against diseases, pests and weeds, regulators and growth stimulants that improve the resilience, growth and development properties.
"The preparations used for the treatment of rape are also used in the cultivation of potatoes, sugar beets, legumes, maize, barley, wheat, rye, vegetables, orchards and some in the forests. Everything is subject to highly sophisticated legislation and must comply with Czech and European standards. It should be stressed that pesticide consumption in Europe is generally declining, and consumption in the Czech Republic is roughly half of Western Europe, " says the expert.
Myth: Rape is very allergenic
One of the most common allergies is pollen allergy. The rape, thanks to the distinctive color of the flower and the specific scent, is very noticeable and blooming at the same time as birches, grasses or grains that are not so visible, but their pollen is among the strong allergens. Rape pollen does not spread over long distances because pollen grains are relatively heavy and clump. In some studies, allergens specifically allergic to rape pollen are reported to be about 0.2%. Rape is therefore only a mild allergen.
Myth: Rape oil is poor
Rape oil due to growing rape yields and yields and production costs are among the cheaper oils. The low price in this case, however, does not reflect the true quality. If the climatic conditions for growing rape and the yields were lower than usual in a given year, rape oil price rises. It could then be higher than the price of sunflower or soybean oil.
From the point of view of nutrition and the breadth of kitchen use, rapeseed oil is the ideal choice. Among nutrition experts around the world, it is clear that rapeseed oil is one of the most suitable vegetable oils for human consumption in terms of the composition of fatty acids and their relative proportions. "According to some nutritional criteria, rapeseed oil even surpasses highly prized olive oil. It contains a relatively low percentage of undesired saturated fatty acids and a high percentage of the preferred omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that we lack in our diet. The combination of high nutritional value and favorable prices is therefore a double benefit, " explains the President of the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic.
Myth: Rape oil does not have a suitable dietetic composition
Rape oil contains a tiny and healthy, absolutely harmless amount of erucic acid. It is produced principally from varieties known as wild or lemon trees. The intense work of many breeding teams in Europe and Canada has been gradually reduced in the 1970s by this fatty acid. For current varieties of rape, erucic acid content shall not exceed 2%. In reality, however, it is most often at the level of several tenths of a percent. Oil is thus absolutely safe.
Myth: Refining aggravates the quality of rapeseed oil
Crude oil contains a number of undesirable substances that are removed during the refining process. By refining, the oil is freed from residues of mechanical impurities, cellular tissues, proteins and carbohydrates, water, and accompanying substances that could trace pesticides or heavy metals or other contaminants. This process also removes some colorants that negatively affect the flavor properties of the oil (eg chlorophyll). On the other hand, the content of beneficial biologically active substances, such as vitamin E and plant sterols, is also reduced during refining. However, their reduction is only partial in the range of 20-30% of the original quantity.
"Refining therefore does not deteriorate the quality of the oil, the fatty acids remain essentially unchanged. The refined oil has a lower acid number and a peroxide number than the crude and cold-pressed oil. It therefore contains less free fatty acids and primary oxidation products, " continues the expert.
Myth: Rape oil is unsuitable for cold cooking
Rape oil can be used both for cooking and stewing, as well as for preparing cold meals. Thanks to its relatively high thermal stability, it is ideal for one-time frying and baking. From this perspective, it is more suitable than sunflower. Enriched salad dressings and pickled vegetables. It is also suitable for preparing some desserts. It can be found in both Czech and international cuisine. Unlike sesame, pumpkin or olive oil, it does not dominate and only fine-tunes the taste of the basic ingredients of the dishes.
Myth: In Europe, GM rape is grown
Genetically modified crops are currently grown in the world at about 180 million hectares, equivalent to about 10% of all cultivated areas on the planet. The largest growers of these crops include the USA, Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada with crops such as soy, cotton, maize and rapeseed. "In Europe, however, the situation is quite different. The system for assessing the risks and effects of GMOs, a law that precedes any practical cultivation, is sophisticated and is considered one of the most sophisticated in the world. The result is very low areas of GMO crops in the European Union, " adds Ing. Zdeněk Jandejsek, CSc., President of the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic.
And did you know that rape can be a substitute for diesel and gasoline?
The use of agricultural products primarily intended for the production of food for technical purposes is neither bad nor extraordinary. Not only rape, but also potatoes, sugar beet, wheat or cannabis have found their technical application and can be used in technical applications as an alternative source of energy. The technology of converting oil into fatty acid methyl esters makes it possible to use oils in diesel engines without the need for machining. The oils thus treated behave like oil, so they are used as an additive. However, this is a technology that is completely different from food production.
Source: tz