The Various Types of Flax – Many individuals ask whether to get organic or conventional flaxseeds. According to the Flax Council of Canada, any clean flax from a recognized source is deemed to be safe for human consumption. Whole flaxseeds – When you consume whole flaxseeds, you will reap the advantages of the fiber and lignans.
- To obtain the omega-3 fatty acid benefits of flaxseeds, the seeds must be thoroughly chewed or ground.
- Whole flax seeds can be stored at room temperature for as long as ten months.
- Ground flaxseeds or flax meal — All of the nutritional advantages of flaxseeds (omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and lignans) are achieved when flaxseeds are ground.
After opening, ground flaxseeds should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer for no more than three months. If crushing the seeds by hand, only do so as necessary to prevent spoiling.1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds contains around 1.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Flax oil – Flax oil is derived from the flax seed in its whole.
- It is available as an oil or in supplement gel form.
- It is advisable to store flax oil in a cold, dark location, preferably the refrigerator.
- It is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, however neither lignans nor fiber are present since they are eliminated during the oil extraction process.
Check the manufacturer’s best before date to determine storage duration. In 1 tablespoon of flax oil, there are roughly 7.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. The optimum form of flaxseed to acquire the advantages of the full seed is ground flaxseed/flax meal.
Does ground flax seed expire?
Does Flaxseed Go Bad? – There is an expiration date on the packaging of all flaxseeds available for purchase, however this does not always imply that they must be discarded as soon as the date approaches. The shelf life of flaxseeds depends on how they were processed, where they are stored, and their shape (seeds or ground).
If you have whole flaxseeds, they may be kept in the refrigerator for months after their expiration date (more on that below). As for flaxseed meal, it may go rancid within a week of the expiration date. The best way to determine whether a flaxseed product is rancid is to smell it. These omega-3s within the seeds emit an unpleasant stench after they have passed their prime.
Flaxseeds or flaxseed meal should be discarded if they do not pass the smell test or if they have any form of bitter taste.
How to Keep Flaxseeds Fresh – Maintain the freshness of your flaxseeds by storing them in an airtight container. Whole or ground, it does not need to be refrigerated. A dark, chilly pantry should suffice. Although increasing their shelf life in the same manner, flaxseeds and flaxseed meal do the same.
What is the optimal method for storing ground flaxseed?
Storage. Regardless of the method used to grind flax seeds, they may be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week (4).
