Our Oil

Our oil seed rape crop is grown as a break crop each year. This allows the fields to rest in-between the beef and arable farming undertaken by Kate’s family farm.

The highest quality seed is planted in the autumn, early enough to germinate before the very cold winters which we experience here in the Peak District. During the following May/June the rape comes into flower with the bright yellow fields which can be seen for miles around. After the flower has died off and the seed pod has hardened it is then time for combining. The combine separates the tiny black seeds which we then dry and store ready for the pressing. After the pressing process the by-product or husk is fed back to our cattle so there is absolutely no wastage.

We are proud of our family's farming heritage and are happy to continue with this important British industry. 

Rapeseed oil is made by pressing the seeds from the plant, oil seed rape.  Contrary to popular belief oil seed rape is not a new crop; its use in Britain can be dated back to when the Romans brought it to England to be used to burn in oil lamps. Oil seed rape is easily recognised by it bright yellow flowers, which blossom in May and June. The fields quickly become favourite foraging havens for bees and other insects, as the flowers provide them with nectar, in return for some help with pollination. After the flower has died off the seed pod continues to harden and grow until its then time for combining. The combine separates the tiny black seeds which we then dry and store ready for the pressing.

We share consumers concerns about the use of glyphosphates such as round up, and because of this we never use them on our standing crops of oil seed rape. Some farmers use them to speed up the maturing of the crop so that it dries quicker meaning they can harvest earlier. We don't agree with this method, so we use a Swathing machine, which is essentially a mower which cuts the crop and leaves it in rows (swaths) which then dry out naturally. Once the crop has reached the optimum moisture level we then “pick up” the crop with a combine harvester.

However we only use the swathing machine when the crop is slow to mature. Last year (this years seed) the weather was fantastic in the run up to harvest and it wasn’t necessary to use the swathing machine, and we combined the standing crop as it was dry enough.

Although the sprays are “safe” we don't like the idea of spraying the standing crop just before we harvest it, we also don't use any pesticides on the crop as we have some bee hives on the farm, and the bees forage in the oil seed rape when it is in flower.

Cold pressing is the simple and traditional method of producing oil. The seed is simply pressed (or squeezed) at a low temperature, which means that the oils natural rich golden colour and nutrients are preserved. Once the oil has settled, it is filtered and then bottled. It really is as simple as that. No heat, no chemicals just pure and healthy home grown oil. We only press our seed once, this ensures that we only produce the highest quality, undiluted cold pressed rapeseed oil.

Our oil is so versatile that there is no need to have different oils for cooking, dressings and fats for baking, Its high smoke point of 220˚C means you can get your pan hot, without the oil changing its composition, making it perfect for stir frying, roasting and everyday frying.

The subtle, earthy and mildly nutty flavour make it perfect for salad dressings and homemade mayonnaise and it’s great for just dipping with warm crusty bread and balsamic vinegar. Try baking with it, it makes a fantastic moist cake.