Description
Olej Rydzowy TSG is oil produced from the plant gold-of-pleasure (or false flax), belonging to the crucifers (Cruciferae) family of the genus Camelina, which includes a number of species. Two species of gold-of-pleasure are used for the production of oil: the spring species (Camelina sativa) and the winter one (Camelina silvestris).
Production Area
The tradition territory of Olej Rydzowy TSG cover about the whole area of Poland.
Production Method
The production of the oil begins with the obtaining of the seeds from the cultivation of spring or winter gold-of-pleasure. Depending on the species, the plant is sown in autumn or in spring. The seeds are dried and cleaned within six hours after harvesting. Afterwards the flaking (crushing) of the seeds with a smooth roller takes place and the seeds are heated to 38°C. Then, to obtain the oil the pressing takes place, and the resulted oil is left for a period of 7-10 days at room temperature to allow the heavier fusel oils to fall to the bottom of the container. The top layer of the oil is suitable for consumption and is stored in dry places, which are not exposed to sunlight at a temperature between 4-20°C.
Appearance and Flavour
Olej Rydzowy TSG has a stimulating flavour, an onion taste with a top note of mustard and a pleasant, pure aroma. It is a clear oily liquid with a small amount of sediment on the bottom. Its colour varies from golden to reddish-brown depending on the species of goldof-pleasure plant used.
History
The history of the Olej Rydzowy TSG is linked to the cultivation of the gold-of-pleasure plant and the pressing of oil from it. Its seeds were found on Polish territory at excavations in Strzegom Slaski dating from the Bronze Age, i.e. 3 000 years ago (this information is confirmed in an article from 1966 by Professor F. Dembinski entitled Rosliny oleiste - Oil plants). In his works on the goldof- pleasure plant, the botanist Professor Marian Nowinski has highlighted the discovery of its seeds at archaeological sites that reveal the activities of Proto-Slavic peoples of the Lusatian Culture, as well as in the area of Biskupin, a settlement from the 8th century B.C. and the most famous archaeological reserve in Central Europe.
Gastronomy
The Olej Rydzowy TSG must be kept in a cool dry place, away from sunlight. The gold-of-pleasure oil is durable and can be stored for a long time unlike oils with similar composition and proportion of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
Marketing
The product is sold as Olej Rydzowy TSG.
Distinctive Features
The traditional characteristics of the Olej Rydzowy TSG are closely linked to its production process, unchanged for centuries. The pressing method is unchanged since the end of the 8th century. The unique quality of the gold-of-pleasure oil produced in Poland is due to its fundamental characteristics. The physico-chemical properties of the oil are very important, as the product is rich in precious for their regenerative attributes. It is composed, in fact, about 50%, of fatty polyunsaturated acids, of which about 40% are Omega 3 acids and the remaining 15% Omega 6.
