In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about flaxseed, including taste, texture, how to use it in baking and how to replace eggs with it to help you convert recipes to vegan status.
Let’s get straight to it…
What Does Flaxseed Taste Like?
The flavor of flaxseed is mild, but it does vary a little with the kind of flaxseed you’re eating. Brown flaxseed is earthy with a deep nutty flavor while golden flaxseed is lighter in taste and more nutty than earthy.
However, many people notice no taste at all in whole flaxseed. Ground flaxseed is usually far more potent in flavor as the grinding process releases the oils.
Flaxseed Texture
Whole flaxseeds have a silky feel that’s fun to run your fingers through. If you add them to water, they’ll become slicker and go down smooth. The longer you let your flaxseeds sit in the water, the more slippery they’ll become.
Ground flaxseed, on the other hand, is light and powdery. If you add it to water and let it sit for a few minutes or so, it’ll become thicker and slightly gelatinous. This is good for egg replacer, which we’ll show you in a short video below.
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Can You Eat Ground Flaxseed by Itself?
Ground flaxseed is a popular addition to smoothies, breads and other baked goods, but you probably won’t want to grab a spoon and dig in as it’s dry and powdery. Rather, it’s best to sprinkle ground flaxseed onto your meal or into your beverage.
That being said, there’s nothing wrong with eating ground flaxseed on its own. It’s just not common practice, that’s all.
Why Does Flaxseed Taste Like Fish?
If your flaxseed tastes fishy, it may have gone bad. This can happen particularly with ground flaxseed as the released oils require cool, stable temperatures and protection from air to stay fresh.
Some people feel that there is fishiness to ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil even when it’s still viable, which may have to do with the high omega-3 fatty acid concentration in flaxseed.
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How Much Flaxseed Should I Eat Daily?
You can apply flaxseed fairly liberally to your beverages, salads and baking recipes, but as with all things, there is a limit. It’s suggested that your flaxseed intake stay under five tablespoons per day.
If you’re trying to add omega-3s to your diet, one to three tablespoons a day is generally considered “enough” flaxseed. Freshly ground flaxseed is best for nutrient absorption and quality.
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How to Enjoy Flaxseed
While taking flaxseed is as easy as throwing it into a glass of water and drinking it down, there are other things you can do with it that have quite tasty results.
This video is going to show you how to make easy egg replacer with flaxseed meal and water. Use it in your baking as a binding agent.
In this video, you’ll see how to make fluffy, lovely vegan flaxseed pancakes. You’ll need flour, flaxseed, coconut oil, sugar, baking powder, salt, plant-based milk, vanilla, a fork and a knife.
Further Reading: What Does Fried Eggplant Taste Like?
Wrap Up
The flavor of flaxseed is very subtly earthy and nutty, though many people find it rather neutral, especially in water and baked goods. In general, flaxseed should not taste off or fishy—this is usually a sign that your flaxseed has come to the end of its shelf life. Throw a tablespoon or two into your smoothie to get the health benefits of flaxseed, but don’t be shy about adding it to just about anything you’re eating or incorporating it into luscious vegan pancakes, veggie burger buns and hearty breads.
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Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
