Other Canadian Ingredients

Canadian Canola — Prairie Gold

Each summer, the Canadian Prairies are carpeted as far as the eye can see with the yellow blooms of canola plants. Since its development in the 1970s, canola has become one of Canada's most valuable crops. Canola plants produce a rich harvest of canola seed in the autumn, which is then made into canola oil. The canola oil derived through state-of-the art extraction technologies, surpass expectations around the world. High-quality Canadian canola oil's versatility and light, clean flavor are enjoyed by cooks. And everyone can appreciate canola oil's health benefits: it has the lowest level of saturated fat among cooking oils, is Trans fat free and may reduce the risk of heart disease.

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Canadian Buckwheat – The Wheat That Isn't

Pancakes drenched in honey, muffins with butter and maple syrup, or perhaps a raspberry-almond torte – it all sounds so good! With Canadian buckwheat you can have all of these delectable treats, without a single kernel of wheat! Buckwheat is actually the fruit of a plant similar to rhubarb. It is made up of groats, which are kernels stripped of the outer coating and crushed into smaller pieces. These pieces can then be roasted or ground to make buckwheat flour. Canadian buckwheat is one of nature's best sources of high-quality proteins and dietary fibre, and contains all nine essential amino acids. Gluten-free and low in carbohydrates, Canadian buckwheat can be a healthy addition to any diet.

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Canadian Bison – The Other Red Meat

Once a staple food of the continent's pre-Columbian inhabitants, bison provided Aboriginal Canadians with food, clothing, tools and fuel, for thousands of years. After nearly being driven to extinction during the 19th century, the population was carefully rebuilt and the bison meat industry is steadily evolving. Producers are working hard to familiarize people with the lean red meat that offers such a rich, distinctive flavor. The meat is nutritionally dense and is low in fat, calories and cholesterol. Bison is sustainable, meaning that all the herd's nutritional needs can be met by grazing on the grasses that grow naturally across Canada. To ensure the highest quality and safety standards, the bison industry is regulated by both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Canadian Bison Identification program.

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Canadian Potatoes – One Word: Awesome

The humble potato is one of the world's favorite and most versatile vegetables and Canada's most valuable vegetable crop. Potatoes can be mashed, diced, boiled, baked, fried and served in casseroles, stews, soups and salads. But potatoes aren't just for eating; manufacturers use them to make alcohol, starches, pharmaceutical preparations, and even biodegradable plastics. Potatoes are very nutritious, including high amounts of potassium, iron, protein, fibre and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins B1, B6, and C. Canadian researchers developed the famous Yukon Gold potato in 1981 and it is now one of the preferred varieties around the world along with Russet Burbanks and Superiors. Despite its humble roots, the Canadian potato is unbeatable for taste, quality and adaptability.

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Canadian Mushrooms – Treasures of Farm and Forest

The shady woodlands and regular rainfall of Canada's cool northern forests are perfect nesting grounds for wild animals, or more importantly, Canadian wild mushrooms including pine mushrooms, chanterelles, morels and other varieties. The growing season for wild mushrooms is quite short, emerging at different times during the summer and autumn. Canadian harvesters are experts in their life cycles and handle them carefully to protect the delicate blooms. Because of their short season, Canadian wild mushrooms tend to be sold dried, which intensifies their flavours so that only a small quantity is needed to transform the taste of an entire dish. But Canada's mushroom crop includes more than the wild varieties—our farmers also cultivate fresh mushrooms for export. Most of these are button and portabella mushrooms, but we grow specialty varieties too, such as shiitakes, oysters and enokis. But wild or domestic, Canada's mushrooms can go into almost any dish -- try them in stuffings or sautés, or add them to pastas or stir-fries. No matter what the dish, delectable is the word that comes to mind when Canadian mushrooms are involved!

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Canadian Fruits – a Rich Bounty

Canada's fruit industry has adapted well to the cold climate and short growing seasons. Southern Ontario and southwestern British Columbia produce the most Canadian fruit since they are frost-free for about 180 days each year. Since our climate is cold and our growing season brief, Canadian scientists are committed to breeding new fruit varieties to improve hardiness and increase yields. Winter's cold temperatures also mean that our pesticide use can be significantly lower than it is in many other countries. Apples and pears are among Canada's most valuable fruit crops and are grown in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia. A great natural source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, Canadian fruits including peaches, pears, apples, cherries and raspberries and many others are enjoyed fresh around the world, as well as in mouth-watering treats like pastries and confections.

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Canadian Maple Syrup - Pure Liquid Gold

Canadian maple syrup is a national source of pride – taken right from the heart of the Canadian maple trees. Every spring as the snow melts in Eastern Canada, the highly anticipated maple sugaring season begins. The forests of red, black and sugar maples enjoy a mix of cold spring nights and warm days that leads to their natural production of the clear sap used to make syrup. It takes 40 litres of sap to make one litre of syrup since the sap contains about 97 per cent water along with minerals, organic acids and maple taste precursors. There are over 10,000 producers who work at creating 85 per cent of the world's maple syrup. It is then sent out and enjoyed in 45 countries around the world as syrup, maple sugar, maple butter, maple candy and a whole range of other products. The care and protection of the maple trees and sugar bushes is paramount to the producers, who measure their take from each tree to ensure they leave the tree enough nourishment for the rest of the year.

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Canadian Honey – How Sweet It Is

Because Canada's open spaces and clean, natural environment offer perfect conditions for producing honey, our 8,000 beekeepers and their 610,000 bee colonies are able to achieve an annual yield that is twice the world average. In addition to the packaged honey that is filtered and pasteurized, there are numerous honey-related products such as beeswax, used for candles and polishes; protein-rich pollen for diet supplements; propolis, an ingredient in cosmetics and lip balms; and royal jelly, used in skin creams and lotions. Canada's honey production standards exceed even international standards. The safety and quality of Canadian honey is enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which regulates it through the Honey Regulations of the Canadian Agricultural Products Act. Superior Quality. Prized Taste. That's Canadian Honey!

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Canadian Processed Fruits and Vegetables – Always Ready to Go

Modern fruit processing techniques make it possible for global consumers to enjoy the nutritional and culinary benefits of Canada's fruits and vegetables, without sacrificing taste or convenience. Canadian high-quality fruits and vegetables are grown in a clean, healthy environment. Food processors can provide canned, preserved, and also frozen fruits and vegetables, which range from ready-mixed frozen vegetables, to concentrated fruit juices and frozen french fries. Using traditional methods, Canada also produces some of the tastiest pickles, jams, relishes, sauces and soups that are shared with consumers around the world. There are many ways to enjoy the taste of Canada's fruit and vegetables.

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Canadian Soybeans – Healthy Alternatives

Most of Canada's soybeans are grown in southern Ontario, where deep, fertile soils and reliable rainfall ensure an abundant annual harvest of this versatile crop. The soybean is the basis of a wide variety of delicious and healthy foods, including treats such as frozen desserts and beverages and meat alternatives like tofu. Soybeans contain high levels of protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals, and they are also rich in unsaturated fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids. The ways of cooking Canadian soy products are endless in variety – bake an applesauce cake with soy flour, blend a fruit smoothie with the delicious addition of dessert tofu and soy milk, or add cubed and flavoured tofu to a vegetable stir fry for a protein-based vegetarian meal. And for a tasty addition to any salad, add toasted soybeans on top. Canadian soybeans can be enjoyed in many ways.

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Canadian Bottled Water – Clean and Fresh

Clear and delicious; Canadian water is everywhere. Our water is the envy of the world and it covers nine per cent of the country's land mass. It is a key nutrient, but also a beverage that is as thirst quenching as it is healthy and life-sustaining. For those who prefer to avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol or preservatives, it is the perfect alternative. Choices include spring water, mineral water, artesian water and sparkling water, which are bottled in most regions of the country.

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Canadian Cranberries – Trendy and Tasty

The tart taste of cranberry has long been a popular accompaniment to traditional holiday turkey. But today, cranberries in all forms are a popular choice all year round. A product of several Canadian provinces including Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, cranberries are available to Canadians and the world in many formats: dried, canned or fresh and in juice and jam. They make a perfect addition to trail mix as well as cocktails and desserts. And their health benefits are clear: high antioxodent levels are a boost to health, and flavonoids – compounds also associated with foods and beverages including red wine – are responsible for a reduction in cardiovascular disease.

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Canadian Blueberries – A Natural Sweet Treat

The arrival of blueberry season across Canada is always highly anticipated. These sweet and healthy berries ripen at the height of summer. Canada is the world's largest producer of lowbush blueberries, another name for wild blueberries, most of which are grown commercially in Québec and the Atlantic provinces. British Columbia, however, lays claim to producing Canada's largest crop of highbush blueberries. And both are popular! In terms of area under production, blueberries rank as the number one fruit crop in the country, officially surpassing apples in 1996. They are a perfect choice fresh, but are also a popular preserved fruit. Add them to smoothies, on top of cereal, as a jam or – everyone's favorite – in a pie!

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