Flax Seed

Flax Seeds, known in India as alsi or linseed, are the small, glossy, flat seeds of Linum usitatissimum. They are one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fats, lignans and fibre, and are used whole or ground in foods, bakery, animal feed and for pressing oil.

Arizone International supplies whole Flax Seeds in bulk, cleaned and graded, for food manufacturers, bakery and cereal companies, health food brands, oil mills, feed producers, wholesalers and exporters.

Brown and Golden Flax

Flax seeds come in two main colours. Brown flax is the most common type and is widely grown in India. Golden flax, grown in cooler countries such as Canada, has a lighter colour and slightly milder taste. Nutritionally, the two are very similar. In India, flaxseed is grown as a winter crop, mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Flax is one of the oldest cultivated plants. Its stem fibres were used to weave linen in ancient Egypt, and the species name "usitatissimum" means "most useful".

What Flax Seeds Contain

• Oil (about 35% to 45%)Around half of the oil is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant omega-3.
• Dietary FibreIncluding soluble mucilage, which forms a gel with water.
• LignansMainly SDG. Flax is one of the richest known dietary sources of lignans.
• Protein and MineralsIncluding magnesium, phosphorus and manganese.

Whole or Ground?

Whole flax seeds have a hard outer coat and often pass through the body undigested. Grinding or milling them into flaxseed meal makes the nutrients easier to absorb. However, ground flax oxidises quickly, so many food companies buy whole seeds and grind them shortly before use, or buy stabilised milled flax. We supply whole seeds and can discuss milled options.

Applications

• Bakery: breads, multigrain loaves, crackers and cookies
• Breakfast cereals, muesli and granola
• Roasted flax mukhwas and snack mixes
• Flaxseed meal and flour for health foods and egg replacement
• Oil pressing for flaxseed and linseed oil
• Animal feed, including for poultry to raise omega-3 in eggs
• Bird seed mixes

Safety Notes

Raw flax seeds naturally contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which are reduced by heating and are generally not a concern at normal food intakes. Flax is high in fibre, so large amounts should be taken with plenty of water. People with bowel obstruction or those on blood thinners or diabetes medicines should seek advice before using large amounts.

Quality Parameters

• Purity, foreign matter and admixture
• Oil content and moisture
• Colour and seed uniformity
• Microbiology, including Salmonella for food grades
• Pesticide residues, heavy metals and cadmium
• Sortex cleaning for export grades

Tips for Buyers and Formulators

Golden flax seed is often preferred in bakery for its lighter colour, while brown flax is more common in India. Ground flax must be used fresh or kept cold, as its oil goes rancid quickly.

Why Choose Arizone International?

We are an India-based supplier and exporter of seeds and natural raw materials. We supply cleaned and Sortex-graded Flax Seeds in PP bags or as required, with full export documentation and phytosanitary certificates.

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