A NORTH Yorkshire rapeseed oil producer has joined forces with an East Yorkshire smokehouse to launch a new product.

The two artisan producers have combined their expertise to produce North Yorkshire's first smoked rapeseed oil.

Thixendale farm diversification business Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil teamed up with East Yorkshire smokery, Staal Smokel to create an Oak Smoked Rapeseed Oil that is hand crafted and smoked over oak and apple.

Staal Smokehouse founder, Justin Staal and fellow family business owners Adam and Jennie Palmer from Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil, started talking about how they could combine their expertise after meeting at a tasting event at Hornsea Farm Shop, William's Farm Kitchen, in 2012.

Mr Staal, who makes an eight-strong range of delicately hand-smoked poultry and fish, explained: "Smoked food is really popular at the moment - with homesmokers and barbecue restaurants popping up all over the place.

"We wanted to tap into people's love of smoky food by giving home cooks a delicious culinary oil to work with too and spent months looking for just the right oil to smoke.

"We were naturally delighted to find award winning Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil within 30 miles of the Long Riston Smokehouse. "

Following months of research and testing, Oak Smoked Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil is now available nationally as well as at local food fairs.

Mr Palmer said: "Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil is already a Guild of Fine Food Two Star award winner and has a natural, nutty flavour that takes on other flavours well, so we have high hopes for this local collaboration that can put Yorskhire's artisan producers firmly on the culinary map."