Flax seed will add a pleasant nutty taste to any recipe. The attractive, round reddish-brown seeds of flax add flavor, extra texture and good nutrition to your breads, cakes, muffins, and other baked goods. That’s why flax has been used for many years in multi-grain cereals and snack foods. Flax seed also will give you many vitamins that are otherwise hard to get.

When cooking, be aware that flax seed can be used instead of the oil and shortening called for in a recipe. When substituting flax seed in a recipe, use a three to one ratio.

For example, if a recipe asks for one-third of a tablespoon of oil, use one tablespoon of flax seed. Flax seed is also very easy to store. Unlike seeds from other plants, flax seed can be stored for up to a year.

Tips on finding cheap Flax Seed.

If you are considering going on a flax seed diet, try to find flax at a cheap price by checking health food stores and stores that sell gardening supplies. Some stores may sell flax seed at a greatly reduced price if the flax seed is more than half a year old.

Be aware that although it might not be as fresh as you would like, flax seed less than a year old still will still give you the benefit of flax seed oil. If you buy flax seed wholesale and want to preserve its freshness, use a coffee grinder to grind it down to powder, which will increase its longevity.