Rapeseed
Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is an oil crop widely grown in Europe for its seed; it is very attractive to bees for both nectar and pollen.
Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is an oil crop widely grown in Europe for its seed; it is very attractive to bees for both nectar and pollen. In Central and Eastern Europe it is one of the most important spring sources, giving large amounts of very pure unifloral honey.
In Ukraine's forest-steppe the succession of bee forage begins with forest herbs, willows and orchards, then winter rape joins in; a strong colony collects 9-10 kg of marketable honey from it. The honey is light, medium sweet and weakly acidic, and it crystallises quickly because of its glucose, so it is often added to other honeys to get a finer crystallisation.
Why this matters to you: in many countries the plant name is not put on rapeseed honey, so it is often sold without it or blended.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Brassica napus |
|---|---|
| Season | Spring; in Ukraine winter rape |
| Region | Widely grown in Europe; a key source in Central and Eastern Europe |
| Main use | Oil crop (seed for oil production) |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Rapeseed → kind of → Honey plants → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Honey plants
- Which honey it gives
- Rapeseed honey
Frequently asked questions
What do bees take from rapeseed?
Both nectar and pollen: rapeseed is very attractive to bees.
Is it true that rapeseed honey is always sold under that name?
No. In many countries the plant name is not given, so the honey is sold without it or blended.
When does rapeseed bloom?
In spring: in Central and Eastern Europe it is one of the most important spring sources; in Ukraine winter rape gives the flow.
Why is rapeseed honey added to other honeys?
It crystallises quickly because of its glucose, so it helps other honeys set with finer crystals.
How much honey does winter rape give?
In Ukraine's forest-steppe a strong colony collects 9–10 kg of marketable honey from it in a good flow.
Similar
Black locust · Sweet chestnut · Heather (ling) · Lavender · Rosemary · Thyme
Sources
- Persano Oddo L., Piro R. (2004) Main European unifloral honeys: descriptive sheets. Apidologie 35 (Suppl. 1)
- Bezpalyi I. F., Postoenko V. O., Polishchuk A. A. (2021) Biotechnological factors of bees ethology during nectar collection. Bulletin of Poltava State Agrarian Academy 2