- The similarities between mustard and canola
- A comparison of mustard and rapeseed in the profile
- The main distinguishing feature: the flowering period
- Better safe than sorry: the smell test
- Use of rapeseed and mustard
The field glows yellow in the sun. But is it mustard or canola? In the following you will learn the most important characteristics of mustard and rapeseed and how you can distinguish rapeseed from mustard.
The blossoms of mustard and rapeseed look confusingly similar (here: mustard)
The similarities between mustard and canola
Mustard and oilseed rape look alike for a reason: They both belong to the cruciferous family, both flower yellow and even the leaves are similar. They also have in common a growth height of 30 to 150 or 180 cm
A comparison of mustard and rapeseed in the profile
| comparison feature | mustard | canola |
|---|---|---|
| genus | Cabbage (Brassica) (Brown and Black Mustard), Mustard (Yellow Mustard) | Cabbage (Brassica) |
| family | Cruciferous vegetables (Brassicales) | Cruciferous vegetables (Brassicales) |
| botanical name | Sinapis (yellow or white mustard), Brassica nigra (black mustard), Brassica juncea (brown mustard) | Brassica napus |
| growth height | 30 to 180cm | 30 to 150cm |
| leaves | pinnate leaves with jagged edges reminiscent of rocket | pinnate, slightly less jagged than mustard |
| blossom | light yellow flowers with four petals | light yellow flowers with four petals |
| heyday | June to September | April to May |
| use | Leaves as a salad accompaniment or as a spice in dishes, seeds for making mustard or as a spice, green manure | For the production of rapeseed oil and animal feed |
The main distinguishing feature: the flowering period
Even if the flowers of rapeseed and mustard look confusingly similar, it is quite easy to tell them apart. Because rapeseed and mustard never bloom at the same time. While rapeseed has its flowering period in late spring in April and May, mustard flowers in summer, usually from August, more rarely in July or June.
A few inconspicuous differences can also be found on the leaves: Mustard leaves are more jagged at the edges and often more pinnate than rape leaves.
Better safe than sorry: the smell test
Everyone knows the penetrating smell of rapeseed. Doesn't the field smell like that? Then it's definitely mustard.
Use of rapeseed and mustard
While mustard seeds are very aromatic and are very popular as a spice, rapeseed is used to produce oil. The leaves of mustard also have a mild mustard flavor and are therefore used in salads or as a spice in soups etc. What hardly anyone knows: rapeseed leaves are also edible. However, they are less aromatic than mustard, but can be used both fresh and cooked. Be sure to harvest unsprayed leaves and grab them before flowering!