This subscriber-aimed post is something of a belated addendum to my last entry, which I felt was worthy of a full entry status (and submission to LORAX Community‘s Vegan DIY & related Kitchen blogs) since the subject of flaxseed meal seems to have generated a great deal of interest and several readers took the time to write via various mediums. Thanks to Alena for having commented directly to the original post, and to everyone who submitted comments via social media as well as the site’s contact form. I humbly ask forgiveness for my delayed response time, as being away a great deal over the past several weeks (in addition to ongoing issues re: finding access to properly functioning computers/related electronic devices) has made keeping up with online activity something of a challenge. Your questions are most appreciated, and this post is dedicated to all of you!
Just The Flax
Flaxseed meal is simply ground flaxseeds, although sometimes (when purchased from certain companies) they may actually be a by-product of the flax oil industry and therefore lacking their most vital nutritional elements since volatile omega oils will have been stripped in the processing.
However, even when this is *not* the case and the seeds are purchased as meal from someone like Bob’s Red Mill (theirs is simply ground flax seeds, packed and shipped with no additional processing), nutrients are still lost since the seeds are only truly vital for a short time after they are ground.
The omega oils contained within the seeds are also quite volatile (and far more likely to rancidify after having been ground), which makes shelf life somewhat questionable when stored in an unrefrigerated environment. Thus, you are actually much better off grinding your own seeds to make meal at home–on a per-use basis.
Turning flaxseeds into flaxseed meal for optimum nutritional benefits.
My preferred method is to place about a cup at a time into my Vitamix carafe & grind them at a medium-high speed until they become a flour-like meal.
Ground flaxseed is easier for the body to digest than whole, thereby delivering the most nutrients.
This process takes only around 30 seconds in our 5200, as the motor is quite powerful and the seeds move around easily.
Yield of meal will seem higher than the amount of seeds originally placed inside the carafe, so you should end up with about 1.5 cups.
Proper storage of ground flaxseed meal helps to preserve nutrients and volatile omega-3 fatty acids.
Be sure to store any unused portions of ground flaxseed meal in an airtight container, and refrigerate immediately to best preserve nutrients between uses.
Thanks again again for writing, and happy (not) cooking! =)
♡Ⓥ★
