LINSEEDS / Flaxseeds Siemię lniane Λιναρόσπορος Linum usitatissimum

Linseed is the small, reddish-brown or golden-yellow seed of the common flax plant, linum usitatissimum, the same plant that's used to grow the fibre from which linen has been made for thousands of years.

Linseed (also known as flaxseed) has become popular in recent years due to its massive health benefits. Not only high in phosphorus, magnesium and iron, it is high in omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart, and fibre, which aids healthy digestion in the gut. Linseed has also been shown to benefit menopausal women due to its oestrogenic properties.

One of the most popular uses for linseed is as an egg replacement. Linseeds are ground and soaked in water; 1 tbsp linseeds to 1 tbsp water. Linseed will never completely replicate what an egg does when substituted for part of a recipe, but as vegan alternatives go it comes quite close as a binder for other ingredients. The gooey mixture of linseed and water works to stick things together, which works well in pancakes, cookies and quick breads.