flax seed meal

[Amethyst_Rain]

Hey everyone, haven't been on for a while...my computer is packing it in...anyways...i bought some flax seed meal like a year ago, and kept it in the fridge the whole time...two questions:

1) is store bought flax seed meal raw?
2)is it still good after that long?

does anyone know about this?

peace

[Allison]

I don't know for sure, so this is just my opinion. I wouldn't use it. The oil in flax goes rancid quickly. If it had been the whole seeds, it might be different, but since it's already been ground, I would throw it out.

[Amethyst_Rain]

yeah, that's what i thought, too...hmmmmmm...does anyone know though if store-bought flax meal is raw?

[askcassyfirst]

Raw yes. If it had been heated, it would be rancid. Flax seeds, also known by old timers are linseeds, which, are EXTREMELY healthy raw are a great source of omega 3 essential fatty acid when raw. Once heated, or oxidized by light or air, however, they become quite rancid and dangerous actually. Boiled linseed oil is what they add to paint...

At the health food store I used to work at, we would tell people that after some time of taking the oil, you would be able to tell by smell and flavor if it had gone "off" or rancid.

Most flax seed millers suggest keeping the meal in air tight containers, but to discard it if not consumed quite quickly. Udo Erasmus suggests in his book that the oxidation begins within seconds of having the oil open on the counter. I think that is why it is safer to grind your meal as you use it.

Hope that helps.

Cassy.:)

[Amethyst_Rain]

thanx guys...yeah i threw it out...i'm just gonna grind when i need it...no point in buying store-bought stuff :)
one more question though...so if it really goes bad that easy...can you dehydrate it to make crackers...like, i grind it to a meal and then mix it with water and spices and then dehydrate it...is that ok?

[askcassyfirst]

Thats one of the reasons I use the seeds whole when I make crackers. The understanding I have is that the seed has to be cracked open to allow the air and light to penetrate to make them rancid. They are protected in thier own little "house". :) Also, I think that the more concentrated the oil, the more dangerous the problem: ie: It would be lots more dangerous to drink the rancid oil, than some seeds that might have been a bit affected by air.

Personally, since I read of this in Udo's book, I prefered to not eat bread with flax seeds in it, since I was afraid that the oven killed the oil. But, now that I am raw, I know that the oven killed more than just the flax! :D :eek:

Oh- with regard to the meal, there are a few companies that sell flax meal that is fiber only, that the oil has been removed. Those are supposed to be safe from oxidation. A bit more expensive I guess.

Cassy. :)

[Amethyst_Rain]

so you're saying, don't eat dehydrated flax crackers made with flax meal?...i'm scared now!!!

[askcassyfirst]

No, I just meant that was the decision I came to for myself. My hubby and I just have this issue about flax:) . But remember, when making crackers you are not oven cooking the flax...you are dehydrating them.

I guess I would consider the crackers to be like the flax I grind for smoothies. I pop it into an airtight container and put it in the fridge, and eat it quickly. Thus, no oxidation, no light affect...Seems to work for me.

I wouldn't be scared. :)

Cassy.

[Amethyst_Rain]

ok thanx..hahaha...sometimes it's really confusing...i guess, it's like a whole new way of preparing food and new foods that i've never really had b4 in their raw state...there is so much to learn...and i love this board :)