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How Long Do Flax Seeds Last? [Shelf Life Guide]

Flaxseeds originating from the middle eastern countries have been used for their anti-inflammatory properties since thousands of years ago.

Just like pumpkin seeds, flax seeds are rich in plant-based Omega-3 fats and fiber, only next to chia seeds, flax seeds contain more fiber than sesame and sunflower seeds.

According to healthline.com the nutritious value of Flax seeds are more than you can imagine which is also backed with scientific findings by studies of researchgate.net.

So, I guess if you are reading this page then you probably are wondering like ‘okay, how in the world do I keep my precious (in Gollum’s spirit) good and healthy like it is?’.

Well then, you’ve come to the right Frodo Baggins to seek out how to keep your precious good and healthy as it is.

Say let’s take a maintenance tour of the Lord of Omega-3 fats ay!

Do Flax Seeds Go Bad? How Long Do Flax Seeds Last?

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Okay, unlike the refined grain products, the shelf-life of whole grains have a short life.

Although whole flax seeds degrade slower than the flax seeds that are grounded or turned to oil.

So, to keep a check on the expiration period is to know how your flax seeds have been processed and stored.

If you are a carefree person who likes stuff laid all over your kitchen counter or table then I gotta say that your flax seeds kept loosely in plastic covers on those counters are going to go bad more faster than the person who is going to keep them in a cold place and tightly closed in a non-transparent air-tight container, lasting themgood for six months.

Flax seeds that are fresh and whole, kept refrigerated in a freezer air-tight container lets them last for about a year.

The flax seeds that are grounded when stored in the same condition as the whole flax seeds will last for about six months while at the same time being kept in a freezer.

Flaxseed oil that is commercially cold pressed mustalways be stored in an opaque container inside a refrigerator as researched by semanticscholar.org.

How to Tell If Flax Seeds are Bad? Flax Seeds Shelf Life!

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So, the thing is that Flax seeds don’t give any visual cues or other signslike molds to indicate that it has gone bad.

You will need to identify the bad ones by the smell of it.

When they are cooked, the seeds will give off a slightly toasty and nutty sort of smell.

And if they do smell rancid, fishy or musty then, they have gone bad and should not be used for consumption.

This is because products of whole grain, nuts, and plant-based oils (such as canola oil, coconut oil, …) contain unsaturated fats that tend to oxidize quickly which in turn makes them spoil faster.

Now, if the seeds have been stored in a cold place then the smell may not be strong as otherwise.

In this case, you can have a slight taste of it and if they should taste bitter or have a dusty texture to them then yes, they have gone bad.

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Do Flax Seeds Go Bad? How Long Do Flax Seeds Last?

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Shelf Life
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Flax seeds
  • Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
  • Labels and markers

Instructions
 

  • Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
  • Check the u0022Best-by-dateu0022 to know when it expires.
  • Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
  • Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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