Flaxseed oil: shelf life and storage rules, recommendations

What is the shelf life of flaxseed oil? How to properly store it? How to use? We will answer these and other questions in the article. This information will be useful to every housewife.

Flaxseed oil is a plant product that is obtained from flax seeds. Drying oil and varnish are prepared from it. It is also used for the production of linoleum and oil paints, which are used by artists and even in construction. Flaxseed oil has long been known for its use in folk medicine. Thanks to him, we never thought about diseases such as atherosclerosis and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Compound

Flax contains the following acids: alpha-linoleic, oleic, and other substances. Flaxseed oil can be obtained from flax seeds by cold pressing. This is the product that is used for medicinal purposes. Flaxseed oil, depending on the degree of extraction and purification, ranges from golden to brown. It includes vitamins such as K, B, E, A, F, proteins, natural antioxidants, and tocopherols. Sesamol is a predominant antioxidant. It is because of this that linseed oil does not oxidize and is perfectly stored. It is saturated with phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium. Flaxseed oil is very high in a beneficial substance called Omega-3, much higher than in fish oil and other foods.

Storage rules

Where is the best place to store flaxseed oil?
The label always indicates information about the date of manufacture. The longest shelf life is 1 year in undamaged packaging. After opening the container, interaction with oxygen begins, and the shelf life quickly decreases. It is necessary to keep flaxseed oil in a dark place with a low temperature in a closed container. Avoid contact with sunlight. After 1.5 months, you can throw away the opened product; sediment appears, the taste and smell change. The maximum permissible amount of impurities at the bottom of the bottle is 1%. If the taste becomes bitter, it should not be consumed. Bottles are not opened unless necessary. The most suitable storage container is dark glass; in extreme cases, plastic containers are used.

Oxygen should not enter the bottle; it is advisable to buy liquid produced by cold pressing; such oil retains more beneficial properties and is suitable for storing in the refrigerator. Seed extract is purchased only at trusted retail outlets or pharmacies.

Today, many people sell it without a guarantee; buyers are required to be careful

It must be remembered that such oil is afraid of light, oxygen and heat. If you limit products from exposure to these factors, you can keep them for a year. It is not recommended to place refined oils in the refrigerator; a pantry, basement or place on the veranda is suitable. It is necessary to ensure dryness and darkness. The capsules are ideal for packaging; the original packaging retains its beneficial properties for a long time in a cool room without light.

Capsules should not be left in the sun; after half an hour the contents will deteriorate. Table salt helps keep the seed extract open. The crystals are heated for several minutes in a frying pan, quickly cooled, and added to the container.

If the expiration date has expired, a bitter taste appears, the liquid darkens, and smells disgusting. This indicates the formation of harmful components that make the product unsuitable for food or cosmetic purposes. There will be no benefit from it, so you will have to throw away the squeeze. The most suitable place for purchase is considered to be a pharmacy; the composition should not include preservatives, the container volume is no more than 0.2 liters, high-quality linseed oil is not sold on tap. The composition of the product brings tangible benefits to the body, but you need to learn how to choose it correctly.

Application

During sleep, the productivity of flaxseed oil absorption increases. Based on this, it should be used in food before bedtime. Polyunsaturated fats, which form its basis, increase the time of lipid burning and thus extra pounds cannot be deposited on the waist, hips and abdomen. If you use flaxseed oil with food, it is advisable to do this in the morning 20 minutes before meals and in the evenings after dinner, one teaspoon. However, over time, the intake is allowed to be increased to a tablespoon. In order to get results, you should not drink hot drinks at this time. Flaxseed oil is used in medicine and is also added to various dishes. Pharmaceutical companies are creating bioactive flaxseed products for topical use.

Flaxseed oil has essential and polyunsaturated phenols Omega 3 and Omega 6. The human body needs acids. The product is added when cooking and even drunk in the morning.

Rules for keeping at home

Where and how to store a closed bottle, can it be in the refrigerator?

Buy the product bottled in dark glass bottles , since bright light negatively affects the quality of this product, and darkened glass protects against its effects.

If flaxseed oil is stored in a transparent bottle, it is recommended that it be wrapped in foil or thick paper.

A factory-sealed container with linseed oil is stored at an optimal temperature of +23°C. It is advisable to use it within several months from the date of release, without waiting until the product’s shelf life comes to an end.

After opening

Flaxseed oil contains fatty acids, which represent the main value of this product. But because of these same beneficial acids, the product requires special storage conditions. The problem is that fatty acids, when in contact with air, as well as under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, can oxidize very quickly . As a result of the oxidative reaction, free radicals are formed, which negatively affect the human body.

The beneficial properties of flaxseed oil are neutralized. How long opened oil can be stored depends on the storage conditions.

In this regard, there are specific rules for storing opened bottles that should never be forgotten:

After opening the bottle, the contents are stored in a dark place without access to light to prolong shelf life.
Cap the bottle tightly as oxygen tends to destroy the fatty acid base. An irreversible polymerization reaction occurs and a dense film in the form of white flakes is formed on the surface of the product. The oil “dries out” and all its beneficial qualities disappear.
The ideal temperature for keeping is no higher than + 20 degrees.
The most optimal conditions for this product usually exist in a basement, shed or cellar. In a city apartment, keep it on the refrigerator door or kitchen cabinet compartments, away from light and heat sources.

Unrefined flaxseed oil should not be kept in the refrigerator, since this product will lose all its beneficial properties at low temperatures. Ideally, unrefined oil should be stored in a cool, dark pantry.

Dress salads immediately before consumption, since this product loses all its beneficial properties within 15-20 minutes after oxygen enters it.

Capsules

In addition to bottles and vials, flaxseed oil is produced in the form of gelatin capsules. The product, produced in capsules, has a number of advantages over the usual liquid form. The wafers have a pleasant, slightly sweet taste without the noticeable bitterness of regular oil. This form is easy to swallow with water. The wafers are filled with cold-pressed oil and only the highest quality.

The capsules require the following storage conditions:

temperature not higher than 20 degrees Celsius;
a dark, tightly sealed bottle is stored in a cardboard package;
store no more than 6 months from the date of manufacture.

In what container to buy and store flaxseed oil

This product should only be purchased in dark glass bottles or opaque containers. Plastic containers are definitely not worth using. It is very important to decide on containers for storing flaxseed oil. To do this, it is necessary that the bottle has a narrow neck. Because it will prevent air from getting inside. Also avoid using a metal container. After all, it oxidizes.

How to store butter

Temperature conditions and storage locations

The optimal temperature for storing butter for daily use is from 0 to 6 degrees. This is exactly the climate that a refrigerator can provide; here the oil can be stored for 15 days after opening.

To prevent butter from being too hard and easy to spread on bread, it should be stored on the top shelf of the refrigerator, in the fruit and vegetable compartment, or on the door shelf.

But for long-term storage (up to 1 year) you need to use a freezer. But still, this option is not the best, since when stored in the cold for a long time, butter becomes less tasty and healthy.

Remember that you cannot leave butter at room temperature for a long time. Due to exposure to heat and light, it will turn yellow, oxidize, and lose its beneficial properties and taste.

However, if there is no refrigerator nearby, for example, on a camping trip or in a country house, then you can preserve the oil in one of the following ways:

Method 1: Wrap the oil in a cotton cloth soaked in a solution of water and vinegar. When the cloth is dry, soak it in the solution again.

Method 2. Place a piece of butter in a jar and fill it with vinegar so that it covers the block by a couple of centimeters.

Method 3. Wrap a block of butter up to 200 g (or several bars) in parchment, then place it in a deep container and fill it with a strong salt solution. Store the oil container in a dark place and change the brine solution daily.

What to store in

You can store butter either in a butter dish or in factory-made foil packaging. Parchment paper (pictured below) or foil will also work. The main thing is that the packaging or container protects the oil from light.

You should not store butter in plastic containers and plastic bags - in such containers the product will quickly turn rancid, turn yellow and spoil.

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What should the temperature in the refrigerator be?

Shelf life of linseed oil after opening

Buy flaxseed oil in small quantities. After all, due to long-term storage, it deteriorates and goes rancid. The most suitable option is to buy about 0.5 liters. What is the shelf life of flaxseed oil after opening? The standard time is about fourteen days.

Please note that you should not consume flaxseed oil after its expiration date. The most important requirement to remember is: never use flaxseed oil for frying food. During frying, it completely loses beneficial vitamins and acids. It is better to use it in drinks, baked goods, salads, and you can also take it in the morning before meals, one tablespoon. It is acceptable to dip black bread in it. You can also add oil to soups and porridges when the food has cooled.

Storage rules

To maintain the benefits of flaxseed oil until the end of its use, it is necessary to observe some subtleties. Otherwise you will not get the desired result.

How to store flaxseed oil:

Always purchase the product in a dark glass or plastic container. Light destroys fatty acid compounds.
Buy it from trusted stores or pharmacies where you are sure that it was stored correctly. Do not buy flaxseed oil by the bottle.
The product must be made only by cold pressing.
Always keep the bottle tightly closed to prevent air from entering it. This will quickly oxidize the oil, and it will begin to produce carcinogens.
It should be stored in the refrigerator, as it quickly deteriorates in warm conditions. The best place to store oil is the refrigerator door.
The shelf life is 8 months unless otherwise stated on the label.
Once opened, the oil can be stored for 1 month, so there is no point in buying it in large quantities.
You can tell that the oil is gone by the rancid, sour taste. The fresh product has a nutty aroma and a slightly bitter taste.
Do not leave the bottle in the open sun under any circumstances, as the product will completely lose its properties within half an hour.
Oil is added to dishes before serving. After this, the food should not be stored in the refrigerator, but eaten immediately.
When used as food or for cosmetic purposes, never heat the oil or add it to hot dishes.

Remember that free radicals, carcinogens and other substances formed in flaxseed oil if improperly stored and expired are dangerous to the body.

If you monitor your health, lead an active lifestyle and choose healthy foods, then flaxseed oil will become an indispensable product in your kitchen, as an addition to salads and cereals, and as a means to maintain youth and beauty.

Best before date

What is the shelf life of flaxseed oil if it has not yet been opened? How long can I use the product after purchase? Please note that the shelf life of linseed oil from the date of manufacture is no more than one year. After this period, even if you have not used or opened the product, it must unfortunately be discarded.

As already mentioned, the shelf life of flaxseed oil after opening the bottle is fourteen days. Therefore, it is very advisable to write the opening date with a marker. This is necessary in order to throw in the product after this period.

What is the shelf life of linseed oil after opening the bottle if it was stored in a dark and cool place? Here the situation is a little different. In this case, the period of use of the product after opening the package is up to five weeks.

Medicines and cosmetics made using this oil, as well as fish oil and vitamin E, are stored for the same amount of time.

If flaxseed oil has not expired, then in small doses it will contain a pleasant taste and smell. Note that this product stabilizes the digestive system and reduces the amount of toxins.

How to increase the shelf life of oil? There are secrets that will help optimize the shelf life after the expiration date of flaxseed oil for three weeks. To do this, you just need to add a little table salt to the bottle with the product. How much should the last one be? Add half a teaspoon of salt to a half-liter bottle of flaxseed oil.

What to do with expired oil

You can tell that the squeeze has become unusable by a change in taste and smell. The aroma will become musty, with an admixture of bitterness. Flax oil will also begin to taste bitter. A change in these properties indicates that the drug should not be taken orally. You can use it for cosmetic purposes - apply it to your hair for additional nutrition or make a scrub with the addition of ground coffee. You can use the product this way if the shelf life has just expired. If there is a significant delay, you should not do this either. If it’s a shame to throw away the product, you can rub it on leather shoes to give them extra shine.

Useful properties of oil

Useful qualities of flaxseed oil:

with constant use, it reduces cholesterol, improves blood clotting, prevents the development of heart attacks, hypertension, blood clots, and reduces the risk of strokes;
adds strength and activity to the body;
increases calcium levels;
accelerates the recovery process after sprains;
simplifies the duration of pregnancy;
prevents cancer;
restores muscles after exercise.

What are the consequences of improper oil storage?

When the rules for storing a product are not followed (the lid on the bottle is not closed, the container is exposed to the rays of the sun, etc.), the product begins to deteriorate. And the longer these rules are not followed, the more useless and even dangerous to health the product becomes.

You can identify spoiled oil by several signs:

Palpable bitterness;
The color turns from yellowish to cloudy;
A specific smell of drying oil appears;
The consistency becomes viscous and viscous.

If at least one of the signs is present, you should immediately stop taking the oil. And it doesn’t matter whether it has expired or not.

Signs of product spoilage

The following signs indicate a spoiled product:

the appearance of pronounced bitterness in the taste;
too dark shade;
unpleasant aroma.

These manifestations indicate the formation of dangerous elements in the composition. It is strictly prohibited to be eaten or used for cosmetic purposes.

Varieties

Flaxseed oil is produced in different ways. As a result, it is possible to obtain a refined and unrefined product.

Refined

During the refining process, the composition is bleached, exposed to cold and high temperatures. It is also treated with alkali and washed with water. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the odor and make the composition neutral. This increases the scope of its application.

Unrefined

This substance brings great benefits to the body. This is due to the fact that it is practically not processed. Therefore, all valuable elements remain in their original form.

How to choose wisely

Storage features affect the beneficial properties of the product. It is important to pay attention to the choice of product. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the following features:

Consider the bottle capacity. It can be from 100 milliliters to 1 liter. For short-term use, it is better to choose a small volume.
To prevent and treat pathologies of the digestive system, it is worth using oil in capsules.
You should definitely study the information on the packaging. It is recommended to take into account the date of manufacture. The manufacturer is of no small importance. It is also worth paying attention to the shelf life.
The presence of sediment at the bottom of the container does not always indicate poor quality. It is characteristic of cold-pressed oil. In this case, impurities should not affect the transparency and shade of the liquid.
For consumption, you should choose a pure composition that does not contain any additives.
Oil should be purchased from well-known manufacturers.