Flax seed (also known as linseed) is a crunchy seed packed with nutrients and a great addition to smoothies, oatmeal and homemade bread. The seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, an essential element for healthy functioning, as well as antioxidants, minerals and essential vitamins. See the nutrition tab below for all nutrition details.
This flax seed is grown on Ekoto's own field by a so-called strip cropping method. The purple flowering flax seed grew in strips of 6 meters wide and are grown mixed in strips of oats, pumpkins, soybeans, native herbs, buckwheat and more. This model enhances biodiversity
Complete product details
Details
At a glance:
- 750 gram
- Rich in omega 3
- Grown in a bio-diverse field
- Rich in fibers (27%)
- Low in saturated fat (3.7%)
- Grown in The Netherlands
Detailed information:
- Packaging: unbleached kraft paper bag
- Produced in: Etten-Leur, The Netherlands
- Produced by: Ekoto
- Field objective: Strip agriculture
- Certificates: - (in transition to organic)
- Transport mode to warehouse: -
- Bulk storage: In bulk boxes
- How to recycle: Refill packaging with paper and carton
Cooking
Linseed can be used in many dishes both cold and warm. Though, to make better use its nutritional properties, it is advised to consume it without heating it.
In bread: Soak the whole seeds before mixing into the dough
As decoration on bread: Roll dough first on a moist towel, then into the whole seeds
In oatmeal: Add 1-2 tbsp ground linseed mixed with other toppings on top
Overnight oats: Mix 1-2 tbsp ground linseed into the mixture and let it sit overnight
Egg replacer: Mix 1 tbsp ground linseed with 3 tbsp warm water, let it thicken for 5-10 minutes
Homemade granola(bars): Add 2 tbsp linseed with other dry ingredients per 1 cup of oats
Smoothies: Add 1-2 tablespoons ground linseed at the final stage of blending
Homemade crackers: Add 1-2 tablespoons per 1 cup of flour
Nutrition
Linseed is rich in omega 3 fatty acids (22%), which stands out from any other botanical origin of omega 3. From the three different omega fatty acids, omega 3 is the only one we often lack of in our diet, so by adding linseed to our food, we can supplement it in a natural way.
Linseed is rich in Phosphorus, magnesium, copper and vitamin B1.
This product may contain traces of gluten.
| Nutritional Value | Per 100 gram | Per portion (15 g) | RI* | ||
| Energy | 2272 kJ (543 kcal) | 341 kJ (81 kcal) | |||
| Fat | 42.2 | g | 6.3 | g | |
| Of which saturates | 3.7 | g | 0.6 | g | |
| Mono-unsaturates | 7.5 | g | 1.1 | g | |
| Omega 9 fatty acid | 7.4 | g | 1.1 | g | |
| Poly-saturates | 28.7 | g | 4.3 | g | |
| Omega 6 fatty acid | 5.9 | g | 0.9 | g | |
| Omega 3 fatty acid | 22.3 | g | 3.3 | g | |
| Carbohydrates | 1.6 | g | 0.2 | g | |
| Of which sugars | 1.6 | g | 0.2 | g | |
| Fibre | 27 | g | 4.1 | g | |
| Protein | 18 | g | 2.7 | g | |
| Salt | 0.08 | g | 0.01 | g | |
| Potassium | 700 | mg | 105.0 | mg | 35% |
| Calcium | 255 | mg | 38.3 | mg | 32% |
| Phosphorus | 643 | mg | 96.5 | mg | 92% |
| Magnesium | 392 | mg | 58.8 | mg | 105% |
| Iron | 5.7 | mg | 0.9 | mg | 41% |
| Zinc | 4.3 | mg | 0.6 | mg | 43% |
| Copper | 1.2 | mg | 0.2 | mg | 120% |
| Selenium | 25.5 | µg | 3.8 | µg | 46% |
| Thiamin/vitamin B1 | 1.6 | mg | 0.2 | mg | 145% |
| Vitamin B3 | 3.1 | mg | 0.5 | mg | 19% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 | mg | 0.1 | mg | 36% |
| Folic acid/vitamin B9-B11 | 87 | µg | 13.1 | µg | 44% |
*Reference intake of an average adult ( 8400 kJ/2000 kcal) per 100gr
Linseed contains many different amino acids (building blocks of protein), it contains all essential amino acids except lysine. Though it cannot be seen as a primary source of protein as a lot would need to be consumed, which can be harmful for the intestines.
If your body is not used to a lot of fibres, your intestines may have to get used to eating linseed, as linseed contains large amounts of fibre. But do not worry, nowadays our average intake of fibres is too low anyways. So let us call this a positive side affect.
Linseed is however a supplemental food. It is meant to be consumed in small amounts of about 25 to 30 grams of linseed a day.
Sustainability
Linseed is grown in the cooler regions around the globe. It can therefore be perfectly grown in Europe. Back in the days, linseed was a common crop in northern and eastern Europe for the production of linen. The variety used for the linen production is slightly different than the cultivar used for the production of linseed. Though, the plant material that is left behind after the harvest has still good uses. It is either incorporated into the soil or it can be baled and chipped to be used as a bedding for animals, after which it will go back to the soil in the form of manure.
Linseed leaves a good soil structure behind, which is good for soil health and soil life.
Major producers of linseed are Canada, Russia and Kazakhstan, though in the case of organic linseed, a major producer for the European market is India. Whilst the first 3 countries are already between 5000 and 6500 km away, India is even further with 7000 km distanced from Amsterdam.
Why growing it so far away, whilst it has been cultivated for a long time in Europe as well? Many countries in Europe have the perfect cool climate for linseed and the soil in Europe, especially in the Netherlands, produces a lot of intensive crops. The soil could really use a break which it gets with a crop like linseed in its rotation.
Buying local, with transport up to 500 km, or buying standard, starting from 7000 km of transport, is a rather big difference. Our everyday choices truly make these differences add up. What do you choose?
Producer
Ekoto wants to make our supply chains better! By farming ourselves and doing research to better cultivation practices and more vital crops, we want to help our partner producers with this challenging transition whilst offering a healthy revenue model.
Ekoto grows its crops in a strip-cropping system. Long lanes of 3 or 6 metres make up the landscape. This means that every few metres another crop can be found. This makes life for insects and wildlife a lot easier. Food and habitat for a large variety of life can be found. The larger the variety the more resilient nature is. Pests and diseases can therefore not develop so easily. If in any case it would develop, it would still not be able to spread as the hosting crop is many lanes further down the field. Though this sounds a little complex, it means very simply that spraying pesticides is no longer needed! Better for wildlife as well as for our own health! Let's be honest... who would want to eat food that has been sprayed with artificial chemicals?
Strip cropping in organic production is a promising model to make a large step towards nature. Ekoto goes all in on strip farming! Will you? :)