Frequently Asked Questions

What is BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed powder?

It is a new innovation, a unique rapeseed powder that has received a favourable opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and has been approved as a novel food product by the European Commission. BlackGrain rapeseed powder consists of 34% plant protein, 39% dietary fibre, and 21% encapsulated rapeseed oil. 

What is BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® TVP? 

BlackGrain TVP is a high-performing textured vegetable protein that consists of 20% BlackGrain rapeseed powder and 80% pea protein isolate. Thanks to its mild taste, BlackGrain rapeseed powder effectively masks the typical flavour of pea protein. This means your final product made with BlackGrain TVP is easy to season and customise to suit any desired flavour profile. 

What is the difference between BlackGrain rapeseed powder and BlackGrain TVP? 

BlackGrain rapeseed powder is a unique Nordic ingredient produced by refining rapeseed from the oil milling process. BlackGrain TVP is a textured vegetable protein created especially for meat analogue and meat hybrid applications. BlackGrain TVP consists of 20% BlackGrain rapeseed powder and 80% pea protein isolate.  

Is BlackGrain rapeseed powder an isolate or a concentrate?

No. The difference between BlackGrain rapeseed powder and isolates or concentrates lies in the nutritional content. Unlike an isolate or a concentrate, BlackGrain includes all three indispensable ingredients for nutritional food: protein, fibre, and essential fats. This 3-in-1 combination reduces the need for adding multiple separate ingredients into recipes.

Rapeseed protein already has a novel food approval – why does rapeseed powder need an approval of its own?

Rapeseeds as such have not been consumed in significant amounts as food or as a food ingredient in the EU before May 1997. The composition of rapeseed powder is not equivalent to the approved specification of rapeseed protein and therefore needs its own novel food approval.

How do BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed ingredients cater to dietary restrictions?

BlackGrain rapeseed powder is naturally vegan, gluten-free, low FODMAP, GMO-free, and legume-free. It also matches many challenging combination diets, such as gluten-free ketogenic.

BlackGrain TVP is vegan, gluten-free, and GMO-free. It contains pea protein isolate and therefore doesn’t suit low-FODMAP or legume-free diets. 

What is the allergen status of BlackGrain rapeseed powder?

Products with rapeseed powder should be labelled with the statement “this ingredient may cause allergic reaction to consumers who are allergic to mustard and products thereof” in close proximity to the list of ingredients. Rapeseed powder does not contain any mustard. Therefore, “mustard and products thereof” is not marked in the allergen list enclosed with the rapeseed powder specification.

What food products are BlackGrain rapeseed powder and BlackGrain TVP suitable for?

BlackGrain rapeseed powder is an ideal ingredient for breakfast cereals and granolas, extruded starch-based snacks, multigrain and rye bread and gluten-free brown breads. Its mild, malty, and syrup-like taste makes it very versatile. Due to its naturally brown colour, BlackGrain rapeseed powder may not be best suited for light-coloured food products. 

BlackGrain TVP is especially well suited to meat analogue and meat hybrid products. 

Four tasty examples of food applications with BlackGrain

How much BlackGrain rapeseed powder can be used in breads, muesli, and cereal bars?

The maximum amounts are as follows: multigrain and gluten-free brown breads 7%, breakfast cereals and granolas 20%, and extruded starch-based snacks 20%. These amounts are presented in the novel food application as estimated intake of rapeseed powder.

Why is the added portion of BlackGrain rapeseed powder limited?

The guidelines for amounts of BlackGrain rapeseed powder in consumer food products follow the results of our research and development. The recommended maximum quantity is based on the weight of the end product, considering factors like possible water retention or water loss during production processes. According to our tests, a higher percentage of BlackGrain rapeseed powder brings no additional value to the product. There are no health-related concerns involved.

Why partner with us?

Apetit is an established Finnish food industry company specialised in plant-based food solutions. Apetit’s unrivalled expertise on rapeseed as a raw material for the food industry offers partners a valuable opportunity for visionary new product development with BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed ingredients.

Read more about Apetit as a business partner.

How are BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed ingredients connected to Apetit

BlackGrain from YellowFields® rapeseed ingredients are developed by Apetit, Finland’s most significant producer of vegetable oils and rapeseed expeller. Founded in 1930, Apetit specialises in modern plant-based food solutions. Apetit’s long history and comprehensive product line ensure stability and longevity.

Where can I get BlackGrain rapeseed powder or BlackGrain TVP?

For more information or an ingredient sample, contact us here.

Is Apetit’s BlackGrain rapeseed powder a by-product of the rapeseed oil production?

BlackGrain rapeseed powder is an upcycled product made of rapeseed side stream from the oil milling process. Apetit utilises 100% of the raw rapeseed material by manufacturing it into three products: rapeseed oil, BlackGrain rapeseed powder, and rapeseed expeller (feed).

How does Apetit ensure sustainability in the production chain of BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed ingredients?

Using side streams of existing resources to make new products instead of reaping new harvests creates no extra strain on the environment. Additionally, cultivating rapeseed has an important diversifying effect on crop rotation. Our production process is environmentally sound and chemical-free, and our Kantvik oil milling plant is certified according to ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000. 

Read more on the sustainability of cultivating rapeseed