FAQ – Signé Caméline

How can I use camelina oil?

All our camelina oils can be used cold or for cooking up to 475 °F (246 °C):

Virgin oil: ideal in salad dressings, marinades, pestos, on vegetables, or for everyday cooking.

Toasted oil: perfect in stir-fries, Asian dishes, noodles, rice, marinades, or as a finishing oil.

Butter-flavored oil: delicious for cooking eggs, fish, and vegetables, in pastries, on bread, or for making popcorn.

What does camelina taste like?

The taste varies depending on the type of camelina oil:

Virgin Camelina Oil: fresh and vegetal taste, with delicate notes of asparagus and hazelnut.

Roasted Camelina Oil: more pronounced and roasted flavor, reminiscent of roasted sesame and hazelnut.

Butter-Flavored Camelina Oil: mild buttery taste, without dairy or trans fats.

How is camelina oil obtained?

Camelina is a cruciferous plant that produces tiny yellow flowers. Its seeds are harvested, then go through four main stages to become oil: cleaning, cold pressing, filtering, and bottling.

Is camelina oil cold-pressed?

Yes, all our oils at Signé Caméline are cold-pressed.

What is cold pressing?

Cold pressing is a mechanical extraction method, without heat or chemical solvents, that preserves the nutrients naturally present in the oil, such as omega-3s, vitamin E, and gamma-tocopherols.

How long does oil last?

It can be stored for up to two years on the shelf, at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. The tocopherols (vitamin E) naturally present in the oil ensure its preservation.

Do I need to refrigerate camelina oil and seeds?

No, you only need to store the products at room temperature and away from light.

What are the allergens?

Camelina belongs to the same botanical family as mustard. It may therefore contain traces of Mustard.

Is camelina oil gluten-free?

Yes, it is gluten-free.

What is Oliméga?

Oliméga Inc. is the name of the parent company. It brings together two product lines: Signé Caméline, our range dedicated to human nutrition, and Ferme Oliméga, our range dedicated to animal nutrition. Discover the entire world of camelina in one place on signecameline.com.

Can you tell me more about your company?

Founded in 2014, we are a family business based in St-Édouard-de-Napierville, Montérégie. We are producers of camelina, an ancient plant with exceptional qualities, though it remained mysteriously unknown for many years. We harvest camelina seeds, which we cold-press to obtain camelina oil. Our product range includes natural camelina seeds, roasted camelina seeds, virgin camelina oil, roasted camelina oil, butter-flavored camelina oil, shoyu sauce, and camelina honey, all available on our website. Our Signé Caméline products are found in over 2000 grocery stores across Canada, in addition to being exported to several countries worldwide. We cultivate camelina in Quebec using sustainable practices. A processing plant was built in 2018, featuring a wall of solar panels, which allows us to save 22 tons of greenhouse gases per year. Authenticity, quality, and sustainable development are core values for us.

Is Signed Camelina a women-owned business?

Signé Caméline is a women-owned business, with Chantal Van Winden as the majority shareholder.

Where are the product outlets?

We have over 2000 points of sale across Canada. You can find us at IGA, Metro, Avril, Pasquier, Provigo, Maxi, Marchés Tau, Rachelle Béry, Healthy Planet, Nature's Emporium, as well as in several fine grocery stores and gift shops. To see the complete list, please visit the store locator section of our website. If we're not there yet, ask for us! It's the best way for us to get there.

Do you offer a fundraising program for organizations or schools?

Yes! We support organizations that want to fund their projects, activities, trips, or causes they care about by selling our products to their community. Go to the Contact Us section and fill out the short form to share the details of your project. A member of our team will get in touch with you.

How does in-store pickup work?

Step 1: Do your online shopping as usual.

Step 2: Once in the cart, select the "in-store pickup" box. Then proceed to payment.

Step 3: You will receive an email from us once your order is ready for pickup.

Step 4: Come to our Signé Caméline store at 519 Rang des Sloan. Please note that it is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 12 PM, and then from 1 PM to 4 PM.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept payments by Visa and Mastercard credit cards, PayPal, Shop and Apple Pay.

What are the delivery times?

It will generally take 5 to 10 business days to receive your order. You will receive an email from Canada Post once your order has shipped, along with a tracking number, so you can track your package.

What are the delivery charges?

Delivery charges are calculated based on the delivery address and the items in your cart. They are displayed before you finalize the transaction. Free delivery is available for orders over:

Quebec: $100

Ontario: $100

Atlantic, Prairies, and Alberta: $165

British Columbia: $150

Territories: no free delivery

For business orders, delivery charges are $50, or free if your order reaches $400 or more.

What to do in case of a shipping address error?

You just need to contact us immediately at the following email address: info@olimega.com. Please note that it may be impossible to modify or cancel your initial order, as orders are processed as soon as they are received.

I want to change or cancel my order, what do I do?

If you wish to cancel or make changes to an order you have just placed, please contact customer service by email at info@olimega.com or by phone at 450-301-0122, indicating your order number and the desired changes. Please note that it may be impossible to modify or cancel your initial order, as orders are processed immediately upon receipt.

What is your return policy?

No refunds or exchanges are offered for products received in good condition. For any questions or dissatisfaction regarding your order, contact us at info@olimega.com.

Where do you deliver?

We deliver anywhere in Canada.

Are your products available on Amazon?

Yes! Some of our products are available on Amazon, in addition to our online store and our various points of sale.

Can we buy your products on site?

Come to our Signé Caméline store at 519 rang des Sloan in Saint-Édouard, J0L 1Y0. Please note that it is open Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., then between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Can we refill our bulk products at your shop?

Yes! Bring your own clean containers and get a 25% discount on camelina oil or seed refills. For oil, bring a dark bottle to protect it from light. Empty refill bottles are also available for purchase at our shop.

What is camelina?

Camelina is a cruciferous plant. It produces tiny yellow flowers. Its seed is harvested and cold-pressed mechanically to obtain camelina oil.

What is the origin of camelina?

Camelina is an ancient plant, cultivated for thousands of years in Europe and Central Asia. Today, it is cultivated in Quebec by Signé Caméline for several reasons: it grows particularly well in our climate, it contributes to soil-friendly agriculture, and it offers multiple health benefits thanks to its richness in omega-3, phytosterols, and antioxidants.

Why isn't camelina more well-known?

No industry has supported camelina on a large scale. Canola has replaced it over time.

What is sustainable agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture is an approach that aims to cultivate the land while preserving its long-term health, reducing environmental impact, and limiting the use of chemicals. It relies on practices such as crop rotation, minimum tillage, the absence of GMOs, insecticides, or fungicides, and reduced use of water and fossil fuels. The goal is to produce today without compromising the land's ability to produce tomorrow.

How does camelina support sustainable farming practices?

This is agriculture that respects the soil. All our products come from sustainable farming practices, certified GM-free, with no seed coating, no insecticides or fungicides, as camelina is naturally resistant to diseases and pests. It also requires little irrigation, making it a water-efficient crop. It is sown in crop rotation, which improves soil health and diversity and prevents the depletion of agricultural land. We also use minimum tillage techniques to minimize our environmental footprint and reduce fossil fuel consumption. At Signé Caméline, it is even sown by drone, a method that aligns with this same sustainable approach.

Is camelina oil organic?

No, but camelina hardly needs pesticides: it is almost naturally "allergic" to them, even if the fields are not certified organic. Signé Caméline actually prioritizes sustainable agriculture, an ecological approach that goes even beyond organic farming practices.

Why do I need omega-3s in my diet?

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids, meaning the body cannot produce them on its own and they must be obtained through diet. They contribute to cardiovascular and brain health and help reduce inflammation.

Why is the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio important?

What truly matters is the omega-6/omega-3 ratio, which is often imbalanced due to an insufficiency of omega-3s in modern diets, especially through ultra-processed foods rich in high omega-6 vegetable oils, which are associated with pro-inflammatory molecules. Our camelina oil contains twice as much omega-3 as omega-6, which helps rebalance towards a ratio more favorable to health.

What are the nutritional qualities of camelina oil?

Camelina oil has a very balanced fatty acid profile. It contains 35% omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, 18% omega-6, and 30% omega-9. It also contains several antioxidants from the tocopherol family, which includes vitamin E. Among these, gamma-tocopherols are noteworthy; these antioxidants are found in large quantities in camelina and are relatively rare in foods. These antioxidants are responsible for camelina oil's great stability to heat and over time, and are associated with a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress. Camelina also contains polyphenols, known for their numerous benefits for cardiovascular health.

How much omega-3 is in a serving of camelina oil?

Camelina oil contains 35% omega-3. Just one teaspoon provides all the omega-3s you need in a day.

Are omega-3s destroyed by heat?

No. Thanks to its many antioxidants, camelina oil retains its fatty acids and many of its properties when heated. Tocopherols, particularly gamma-tocopherols, are responsible for this remarkable stability, which translates to a very high smoke point of 475°F.

What is the smoke point of camelina oil?

All our oils have a smoke point of 475°F.

What is a smoke point?

The smoke point is simply the maximum temperature at which an oil or butter begins to burn and smoke. Above this temperature, the fat degrades, loses its nutrients, gives food a bad, bitter taste, and releases compounds that are toxic to health. This is why a local oil like camelina oil is so interesting: its exceptionally high smoke point of 475°F (246°C) allows for safe high-heat cooking.

Why does camelina oil contain cholesterol?

Camelina is one of the few plants to contain cholesterol, but it is a plant-based cholesterol that is not harmful to health. Studies even show that camelina is more effective than rapeseed oil or olive oil in reducing blood levels of bad cholesterol (LDL).

What are phytosterols?

Phytosterols are natural compounds found in plants, whose structure resembles that of cholesterol. Consumed regularly, they can help reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestine, thereby helping to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the blood. Camelina oil is recognized for its high phytosterol content, which partly explains why it is more effective than rapeseed oil or olive oil in helping to reduce blood LDL levels.

Does camelina contain nervonic acid?

Yes, camelina contains nervonic acid, a fatty acid known for its role in brain health and the maintenance of myelin, the sheath that protects nerve fibers.

Why are some vegetable oils considered less healthy?

Several reasons often come up in nutritional literature:

Imbalanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio: oils like sunflower, corn, soy, or grapeseed oil are very rich in omega-6 and almost devoid of omega-3. An excess of omega-6 compared to omega-3 is associated with a pro-inflammatory state in the body.
Refining process: many cheap vegetable oils are extracted at high temperatures with chemical solvents, then refined, bleached, and deodorized, which can create oxidized compounds and destroy natural antioxidants.
Low heat stability: several of these oils have a low smoke point or easily oxidize when cooked.
Massive presence in ultra-processed foods: chips, biscuits, ready meals, fried foods, but also products perceived as healthy, such as oat, almond, or soy milks.

This is what distinguishes camelina oil: a favorable omega-3 ratio, cold extraction without solvents, good heat stability, and a high smoke point (475°F).

Is camelina oil good for your health?

Yes, camelina oil is excellent for your health! It contains 35% omega-3: just one teaspoon fulfills all your daily omega-3 needs.

What is the difference between camelina oil and avocado oil?

Camelina oil contains about 140 times more omega-3s than olive oil and avocado oil, making it a very healthy choice.

What is the difference between camelina oil and olive oil?

Camelina oil stands out for its natural richness in omega-3s and its high smoke point of 475°F. Grown and produced in Quebec, it is a local and versatile alternative to olive oil, equally delicious raw or for cooking.

What products do you offer for horses?

For horses, we offer Camelina Protein for Horses as well as our Omega-3 Camelina Oil for Horses. A complete FAQ is available on each product page.

What products do you offer for chickens?

For laying hens and broiler chickens, we offer our Camelina Omega-3 Protein for laying hens and broiler chickens. A complete FAQ is available on the product page.

What products do you offer for dogs?

For dogs, we offer our Omega-3 Camelina Oil for Dogs and Cats as well as our Camelina and Insect Dog Treats with Natural Ingredients. A complete FAQ is available on each product page.

What products do you offer for cats?

For cats, we offer our Omega-3 Camelina Oil for Dogs and Cats. A complete FAQ is available on the product page.

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