grinding flax seeds

[brnmsc37]

Related to the recent post about gadgets, does anyone have a favorite way to grind flax seeds? Things I've been thinking about:
- mortal and pestle
- coffee grinder
- pepper mill

Also, is it okay to grind flax seeds and then not use them for a while, or is it better to grind them as you need them?

Comments

[misfit]

I find it very easy to grind them in a coffee grinder (a separate one from the one I use for grinding coffee so that it doesn't absorb the coffee scent). It's preferable to grind them as needed, but I grind up enough for a week and keep them (along with the whole flax seeds) in the freezer in a tightly sealed container.

[vgnwtch]

Me too. I bought a coffee grinder for about $10 specifically for grinding herbs, and found that it works beautifully for flaxseed.

[brnmsc37]

does it still work to grind a small amount at a time? it seems like most coffee grinders have the actual blade up too high to grind flax seeds.

[misfit]

The grinder spins the seeds all around, so they all are ground up nicely :)

[cheerjess]

coffee grinder!

[brnmsc37]

are your blades low enough to grind small quantities?

[cheerjess]

Yes, I usually only grind as needed, never more than a few tablespoons. My coffee grinder is small, similar to this one: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-8521551-5364167?_encoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B00005OTXN

[brnmsc37]

cool, i was looking at those earlier today!

[plantyhamchuk]

I use mortal and pestle, but that's because I'm too cheap to bother buying a coffee grinder. I've always read that it's better to grind as you need them.

[brnmsc37]

can you get them small enough to use in something like a smoothie, or are they better for in breads?

[vgnwtch]

I think you're better off adding flaxseed oil to smoothies - it adds a creamy texture - and using flaxseed for baking, adding to cereals, etc.

[brnmsc37]

yeah, i've been thinking about that, but the oil is just so much more expensive.

[nobodyhere]

I have them ground where I buy them and then keep them in a jar in the freezer. I find they still taste fine this way.

[brnmsc37]

ooo, i wish that was an option for me!

[perseph]

My coffee grinder works well. The only problem is that they are a pain to clean out. I find that it works best to use a dry towel/cloth and wipe the grinder out right away after grinding. I want one of those neat ones where the inside and blades come out so you can wash them in the sink.

I just grind what I'm going to use because the omega 3 starts disappearing when its exposed to air. Keeping the ground seeds in the freezer can help a lot if you grind more at a time.

[vgnwtch]

I use a dry pastry brush to clean mine out.

[vgnwtch]

I like both. Ground flaxseed makes porridge extra creamy.