Q: I have a lot of flax seed. I purchased them about a year ago when I was giving veganism a whirl, since I'd read they were a great omega-filled addition to foods. But honestly, I can't stand the flavor of them. I've tried adding them to oatmeal, breads, and other things, and it always seems to give them an off flavor! Am I doing something wrong?
Sent by Sarah
Editor: Sarah, it sounds like your flax seeds have probably gone rancid. Ground flax seeds and oil spoils very quickly. While the whole seeds do last longer, if they haven't been stored in the fridge, and if they are over a year old, they are probably not good to eat anymore. They shouldn't taste "off" at all — good flax seeds will taste nutty.
Readers, any other thoughts or answers for Sarah?
Related: Five Ways to Eat: Flax Seeds
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if you bought them a year ago, they taste bad because they're RANCID. the oils in flax are pretty volatile, so they go rancid quickly.
the best way to avoid this is to store in airtight container in the fridge and consume within a few weeks of opening. probably a good idea to avoid buying them in big quantities.
Do they smell/taste as you would imagine bad paint would smell? That's what I find when flax seeds go off. I keep mine, whole or ground, in the freezer. No need to defrost before using, either.
Hmm, I was actually just thinking this as well. My flax seeds have been stored in my freezer, so I thought that they would stay but I too noticed a slightly off smell. I assumed that because I wasn't used to having the whole seeds, usually buying flax meal instead, that it's just the natural odor. Maybe it's time to toss.
Always buy golden flax seeds. And if you buy them milled (I do), get the cold milled ones. Rancid flax is nasty. They smell fishy to me when they are rancid. On the plus side, if you put them in everything (I do), you use them up before they go bad. I keep mine in a bag in the fridge, and a small amount in a mason jar in the counter. I use a jar a week or more. It's a fantastic way to add healthy fiber and o3s to everything.
They taste kind of fishy to me even when they aren't rancid, which makes sense, since they are full of the same kinds of omega oils as, well, fish. I don't like them much either.
You might just dislike flax, if you didn't like them when the package was fresh. I don't like the flavor, and I don't like the rubbery texture they give food (esp. baked goods and oatmeal). did you know you can make hair gel out of flax?
http://thehairpin.com/2011/05/make-your-own-natural-hair-styling-products
First, since they're so volatile, storing them in the fridge is key. Second, they should be eaten ground (not whole) to be of any nutritional value. Third, because they're so fragile/volatile, they should only be sprinkled on top of whatever food you're going to eat them with. Cooking or baking the ground flax seeds ruins them.
Supposing they haven't gone bad, a really great way to use them (after grinding them) is to put your daily tablespoon or two in your breakfast smoothie - taste gets covered up, and you get the health benefits.