The countryside is awash with colour at this time of year from tree blossom to the spectacular golden washes of flowering fields of rapeseed. As you drive around, passing fields of wheat and pasture, there glowing in the distance is a majestic field of swaying, golden-yellow rapeseed. The flowering rapeseed also gives off a heady, honeyed aroma which the bees love.
Historically, rapeseed was used as a source of vegetable oil and animal feed which is still true today but, now, using the correct strains and cold press filtering, the humble rapeseed can be transformed into a golden oil for culinary use. Whilst at University, studying Agriculture, Duncan Farrington investigated how other countries were enthusiastically embracing rapeseed oil. Returning home after University to Bottom Farm in Northamptonshire came the realization that the farm had to diversify if both his father and himself were to make a living. Duncan revisited his research and began to document the culinary and nutritional benefits that could be obtained from cold pressed rapeseed oil. The health properties of rapeseed were beginning to be publicised, stating it was low in saturated fat and a rich source of omega 3, 6 & 9 which aids cholesterol reduction and helps to maintain a healthy heart. The oil is also a rich source of vitamin E. As a result of the oil’s health credentials there were a few companies cold pressing rapeseed oil in Northern Europe and in Finland. Duncan packed his bags and visited a producer in Finland learning all he could about growing rapeseed and the production methods of cold oil pressing. He then went about the painstaking task of trying to piece together a small pressing and bottling facility. A Bottling machine and stainless steel tanks were finally sourced via the Italian wine industry and adapted, whilst the press came from Germany. Finding bottles and capsules was equally difficult as most producers’ minimum order levels are in the tens of thousands – for a novice producer this represents a serious challenge! Whilst Duncan was merrily sourcing equipment there were many detractors stating that there was a fundamental challenge in marketing a product with the words “rape” in its name and one associated with the production of industrial oil and the conductor of hayfever.
Undeterred, in 2005, Duncan took the plunge by launching “Mellow Yellow“ the first “Seed to Bottle” cold pressed rapeseed oil in the UK. All the rapeseed is grown on Bottom Farm and then lovingly pressed and bottled on site by a local team, including Duncan’s mum, Angela. All Farrington Oils are made from the highest grade rapeseed which is GM free. Production started slowly at around 6k bottles and has reached around 200k bottles today (oil & dressings).
Rapeseed Oil School
I naively asked Duncan whether the rapeseed was pressed when in bloom? His eyes rolled, clearly having heard such idiocy before and then explained how the oil is made:
The flowering rapeseed is left in the fields until the seed-heads have formed and dried out.
The rapeseed is then cut in July by a regular combine harvester which collects the seeds.
The oil is then gently squeezed out of the seed by a press at temperatures below 40 °c which ensures that the full flavour and essence of the oil is preserved. Each seed is made up of around 45% oil and the remaining husk is then used for animal feed.
Once the oil is settled it is gently filtered and then bottled. The resulting oil has a nutty taste and can be used for cooking, dressings, roasting or drizzled on food. They don’t use the words “Extra Virgin,” as this terminology is principally reserved for olive oil, but they could justifiably claim to be a “Single Estate producer of Extra Virgin rapeseed oil.” Now, thankfully, we don’t have to traipse off to Tuscany when we have oil of this quality in our back garden!
Not ones for resting on their laurels, Duncan and his wife Eli had new products in their minds. Eli had been working on a number of different dressings, Blackberry Vinegar, Honey & Mustard and Classic Vinaigrette which were launched in 2007. Following their success, Eli devised a “Mellow Yellow” mayonnaise which was launched at the Real Food Festival in 2009. They have just added a new Garlic Mayonnaise which was launched in recent weeks. Duncan assured me that would be the last of the new product launches for a while, but I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of them!
Since 2005, the floodgates have opened and new cold pressed rapeseed producers are popping up across the countryside in their droves. Undeterred, the Farringtons get on with the business of successfully marketing their brand to local shops and selected supermarkets such as Waitrose. The brand is successful, in part due to the quality and branding of the product, but as much to do with the public face, drive and determination of the Farrington family!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
excellent product wouldn’t use any other oil now as this one is so useful.
really like to support British Products so this is a winn win for me
I sell Farrington’s Mellow Yellow and all of Duncan’s fantastic products on my site. Duncan is a lovely friendly farmer who really cares about his products. I have used Mellow Yellow since is first beginnings and i truly believe it to be the best rapeseed oil in Britain.
Chris, Thanks, Duncan and family are doing a great job!