Storing Flax Seeds

Flax which are great source of soluble fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids are chemically stable, whole flaxseed and milled flax seed can be stored at least 4 months at room temperature with minimal or no changes in taste, smell, or chemical markers of rancidity. Ground flaxseed can go rancid at room temperature in as little as one week. Refrigeration and storage in sealed containers will keep ground flax from becoming rancid for even longer.

But some products available in the market are known for its superior quality (18-24% Omega-3 ALA content), pleasing flavor and long shelf life. They have patented cleaning and selection process preserves only whole, plump seeds and screens out immature or damaged seeds of diminished nutritional value.

These premium flax seed products come from flaxseed containing optimal ALA Omega-3 content are carefully selected removing immature or damaged seeds, leaving only wholesome, plump seeds. With these rigorous selection and quality control, these flax seed will outlast most of the flaxseed products on the market with no refrigeration needed. Most of the flax seed productions are done in Canada, China and India. But there are also significant production in USA (North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota in particular), also in Ethiopia and throughout Europe.

Careful cleaning and selection process of flax seeds are really important to preserve these seeds. Even if they can be stored up 4 months at room temperature with minimal or no changes in taste, smell, or chemical markers of rancidity, it is still important to properly process them.