Flax seed question

[Guest guest]

I thought that flax seeds were to be kept in the refrigerator and that you

needed to get it as fresh as possible. I have noticed at the store that you can

buy it in cellophane packages...unrefrigerated. What say you all? Also, do you

add it to food after you have cooked the food...does the heat destroy it?

linda

" Whatever you do will be insignificant and it is very important that you do it. "

Mohandas Gandhi

 

linda's Growing Stitchery Projects: womyn47

 

 

[Guest guest]

> I thought that flax seeds were to be kept in the refrigerator and that

> you needed to get it as fresh as possible. I have noticed at the

> store that you can buy it in cellophane packages...unrefrigerated.

> What say you all? Also, do you add it to food after you have cooked

> the food...does the heat destroy it?

 

 

The whole seeds themselves are pretty hardy, though you can keep them

in the fridge or freezer and they will last longer. In order to get

much benefit though - you need to either chew them thoroughly, or

grind them (whole seeds will " pass on through unscathed " ). Once

ground, they are very fragile and must be refrigerated or frozen as

the oils will become rancid quickly. You can use them in baking,

where you will get the benefits from the lignans and fiber, but the

Omega-3 will be ruined by the heat. (Still pretty good for you.)

Toss them raw (but ground) on top of your oatmeal or yogurt or salad

or peanut butter sandwhich etc. for a bit of nutty taste that also

gives you the Omega-3 benefits.

[Guest guest]

I sprinkled the ground flax seeds over oatmeal sometimes and will use the

seeds in original form when making soy/millet/nut/oat combination " milks. "

(I'm biased: I use a SoyToy).

 

Recently, I discovered it's really cool to add a few tablespoons to

breadcrumbs/spices for use with tempeh, tofu, eggplant, and seitan cutlets

(could do it for zukes, too). Adds a nice background nutty flavor.

 

Best, Mark

 

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