Flaxseed is a really good choice to supplement your daily diet. It contains a lot of omega-3 positive fats, and surely no nutritionist will tell you anything against flaxseed. However, this is not the food you crave every day. It is more likely that an open bag will last at least a few months before you run out of it.
So how long can flaxseed last? Can it go bad at all? In short, yes, it can. You will not have any significant health problems because of this, but the rancid taste will certainly not be pleasant to eat. Here’s how much you can stretch the lifespan of these seeds and how to recognize that they are spoiled.
How Long Does Flaxseed Last?
Many influences can determine the duration of flaxseed. What will most affect perishability is whether you have whole or ground seeds. Storage temperature is also a significant factor. Here are the instructions.
Whole flaxseed
If you are going for a longer duration, it is best to keep the seeds whole. Grind them only when necessary. Whole seeds are much more durable and can last at room temperature for up to several months after the expiration date. For longer storage, put them in the refrigerator, where they can certainly be more than half a year from expiration. You can put them in the freezer for complete safety and storage. It will buy you at least another year.
Ground flaxseeds
Grinding indeed destroys the durability of flax, and, at room temperature, it will not last much longer than its written shelf life. Maybe a week longer. It is best to keep them in the refrigerator if you use them often, which will extend the shelf life of flax seeds by approximately two or three months. Placing them in the freezer will get you another half year.
Can Flaxseed Go Bad?
Because of the fat we mentioned, flax seeds tend to become rancid over time. This will not necessarily mean that it will harm your health, but the taste is not okay. Any food you prepare with rotten seeds will be simply disgusting. Here are the signs that the seeds have expired.
Sign 1: Insects in a bag
Little intruders are not a desirable sight in any food. And every grain attracts them over time. If you have not closed the bag well, unwanted visitors are possible. If you notice them, throw everything in the trash.
Sign 2: Mold is present
If you open the bag and feel a slightly stale, moist smell, you’ll know that mold is very likely there. This may be due to the presence of moisture. In any case, mold is always an alarm to throw away food.
Sign 3: Rancid smell
Once the food is rotten, there is no going back. You will hardly hide that taste no matter how good a recipe you have. You will recognize rancid flax seeds by the specific putrid scent that you will surely feel.
What Is The Best Way To Store Flaxseed?
With the usual advice that food should be in a dry and cool place, away from heat sources, here are some more tips that can help you stretch your flaxseed lifespan.
Tip 1: Do not grind them in advance
Although it is probably more practical for you to grind the whole amount at once, it is by no means a good idea if you want to use flax seeds for a long time. Instead, take the amount you need and grind it, leaving the rest intact.
Tip 2: Seal well
Close the bag well if you keep the flaxseed in the pantry so as not to attract small insects.
Tip 3: Refrigerate or freeze
If you frequently use small amounts of flaxseed, keep them in the refrigerator. However, if you know that you will not be using them for a long time, you are free to freeze them. It is only important not to thaw frozen seeds more than once.
FAQs
How can you tell if flax seeds are bad?
You will first recognize a bad odor that may seem rancid or stale. This will be a sure sign that it is time for new supplies.
Is it okay to use expired flaxseeds?
Whole seeds can last for several months to even a year longer than the shelf life, depending on how you store them. Ground seeds at room temperature will not last out of shelf life. In the refrigerator or freezer, they might endure for several months.
Can you freeze flax seeds?
You can definitely freeze flax seeds, whether they are whole or ground. It is only important that you do not defrost them more than once.
Conclusion
Flax seeds are an excellent source of good omega-3 fats and valuable food in the diet. If you’re a big fan and spend one bag in a month or two, then you don’t have to worry about shelf life and feel free to keep the pack at room temperature in the dark.
But if you rarely use flax, then keep it in the refrigerator or even the freezer to prolong its shelf life as much as possible. Furthermore, do not grind the seeds before you want to use them. While whole, they have a much higher resistance to spoilage.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
