Until flaxseed oil is made

Both flaxseed, which can be obtained from a plant called flax, and flaxseed oil, which can be obtained from flaxseed, are valuable and highly evaluated as healthy foods. However, it is also a fact that little is known about "why is it precious?" And "why is it good for the body?"

Some people are wondering what kind of process it takes from flax to flaxseed oil. Here, we will introduce the charms of flax, flaxseed, and flaxseed oil, as well as their usage and effects.

Flaxseed oil can be obtained from a plant called flax

Flaxseed oil can originally be obtained from a plant called flax. Here, we will introduce what kind of flaxseed oil can be obtained from flax and what kind of effect it has.

What is flaxseed oil?

Flaxseed oil Read as "flaxseed oil" and refers to the oil obtained from the seeds of the plant flax. Among the flaxseed oils, the essential fatty acid "omega 3" contained in flaxseed oil is attracting attention.

The essential fatty acid of "omega 3" contained in flaxseed oil is also rich in α-linolenic acid, which prevents high blood pressure, and has the effect of lowering cholesterol and triglyceride. it's recommended.

It is a natural nutrient that can be easily taken by those who want to take essential fatty acids that are difficult to take in their daily lives without difficulty, and those who have a small diet and are older.

Reference: What is omega 3 fatty acid?

A plant called flax and cultivation in Japan

Flax is an annual plant of the Flaxaceae family. It is native to the steppes of Central Asia and grows to a height of about 1 m.

In summer, cold-colored five-petaled flowers such as white, purple, and blue bloom very beautifully, producing dark brown seeds. These seeds are called flaxseed, and flaxseed oil can be produced by squeezing the seeds.

By the way, in Japan, it is mainly raised in Hokkaido. Since the Edo period, the history in Japan has been cultivated in a limited range because the seed part is used as a medicine. From the Meiji era to the Showa era, it was widely produced mainly in Hokkaido for the purpose of making linen, but now most of the production is done overseas, and it is also cultivated very actively in Hokkaido. not.

Flaxseed oil from flaxseed (flax seeds)

Flaxseed oil is the oil that can be obtained from flaxseed (flax seeds). Here, let's introduce how to use such flaxseed.

What is flaxseed?

The flax plant can make linen dough from the stem, and the seeds have been very useful for food since ancient times. Flax seeds are called flaxseed, and in English they are called flax seeds. The seeds are small and have a shape similar to sesame seeds. It has high nutritional value and is attracting attention as a superfood.

Flaxseed is of interest because it contains omega-3 fatty acids.

How is flaxseed used?

Flaxseed is a food that is rich in ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids necessary for promoting health, and lignans, and is also rich in dietary fiber and protein.

Flaxseed oil is famous, but flaxseed alone is becoming more and more consumed. It is consumed not only as food but also as feed.

In terms of dietary supplements, bread containing flaxseed has also appeared. In the bakery industry, flaxseed is sometimes used for breads such as bagels and muffins, as well as breads containing grains such as rye and rice cakes. In addition, it seems that there are cases where it is also used for snacks such as cereals containing flaxseed and granola, and it is also used for powdered pancake mixes, and various uses are being developed other than consumption as flaxseed oil. I will.

Flaxseed is also used as animal feed. Eggs laid by chickens that ate flaxseed seem to be sold at supermarkets in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. In addition to livestock, it is also a highly anticipated food that can be used more and more, such as by adding it to pet food.

Reference: Ingredients and characteristics of flaxseed oil

Until flaxseed oil is made

Flax is used separately for the stem and seeds. So what kind of work is done in the process from flax to flaxseed oil? Here, we will introduce the process of changing flax to flaxseed oil and the uses of flaxseed oil.

Flax harvest

It is said that flax that has been exposed to plenty of light in cold regions is a good way to collect flaxseed for flaxseed oil. Flax is an annual plant that blooms. It bears fruit after the flowers. After the flax flowers have bloomed, the fruits are harvested when the flax turns brown. The fruit contains seeds (flaxseed) about the size of sesame seeds.

Produce flaxseed oil from flaxseed

Omega 3 fatty acid, a valuable ingredient in flaxseed oil. This fatty acid is sensitive to heat and easily oxidizes, so it is necessary to squeeze the oil while leaving this component. Vegetable oils are often squeezed at high pressure, but this method creates frictional heat, making it difficult to maintain the components of omega-3 fatty acids.

By extracting linseed oil using a method of squeezing at low temperature (cold pressing method), it is possible to extract linseed oil while retaining valuable components such as omega-3 fatty acids.

Most vegetable oils are squeezed under high pressure or squeezed with a solvent. When choosing flaxseed oil, you may not get the desired benefits unless you choose based on information about how you are squeezing.

Summary

We have introduced the characteristics of flaxseed and flaxseed oil and the process by which they are made. The scenes where flaxseed and flaxseed oil are used seem to be increasing with increasing attention to their nutrients. In particular, flaxseed oil is a popular product with many types of products in supermarkets. When choosing flaxseed oil, I think that you can select a good product not only by paying attention to the fact that it is flaxseed oil, but also by paying attention to its pressing process.

Reference: I checked the typical flaxseed oil products!