Approx. how long will flax seeds last in the fridge?

[RawSinger]

I've had my flax seeds in there for a few months now. Are they still good? They're the brown ones, by the way, if that makes a difference.

[blaqberry]

It's kinda difficult to say exactly how long they'll last as you never really know the true date of harvest or definitely how long they were stored before purchase (though many pre-packaged seeds will have a "freshness" stamp on them). But I can say from experience that if they give off a strong fishy smell they've most likely gone off. And, the brown seeds will naturally smell a bit more fragrant and taste more flavorful than the lighter variety.

If they still smell good and flaxy/nutty to you, they're most probably fine :)

[RawSinger]

Thank you. My boyfriend tried some and said they tasted like...seeds. I'm sure he would've known if they'd gone bad; he has no tolerance for those kinds of things.

[blaqberry]

Ah, good. Glad they are okay :)

[RawSinger]

Heh...me too! There are a lot left.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i keep mine in the cupboard... they do fine.

i do have a question though. has anyone tried grinding flax seeds, putting them in a jar with water and leaving them in the fridge so you can add them to your smoothies every day? this way they are already soaked.

would they last for a few weeks like chia seeds do?

[samadhisoul]

if you put them in a jar with water wouldn't it become gel-ly?

[Aleesha Sattva]

that's the idea... then you'd add them to your smoothie and the enzymes would be activated from being soaked :)

[Vivafree2]

I am not sure why but flax seeds KEPT in the fridge are not tasting good.
As most seeds flax have great shelf life - i guess over two years easily when kept in the dry place and cotton bag. In the fridge flax get kind of fishy taste - but maybe it is only my experience.
Experiment with ground flax - place some in the glass jar and keep in your cabinet with cotton cloth over it and another batch in the jar in the fridge - after a week tase both!!!

I buy one 5 lb bag every few months.