Flax mixed with grains is easier to grind by hand

[RobertP]

I don't know a better place to throw this in than here. I noticed that if I mix flax with whatever grain I grind by hand, that it is much easier to grind. My grinder is made to handle flax, it might ruin some. Seems like 1/8 to 1/4 ratio makes a difference. It might save someone some effort if there is no electricity (electricity is plan A for me) and you need to grind significant amounts by hand. I would say it is about half the effort, maybe less, and it depends on the ratio. Half the effort is a lot when cups of flour are needed. I prefer golden flax, but either will do in a pinch if you like that.

[chitchat]

I don't know a better place to throw this in than here. I noticed that if I mix flax with whatever grain I grind by hand, that it is much easier to grind. My grinder is made to handle flax, it might ruin some. Seems like 1/8 to 1/4 ratio makes a difference. It might save someone some effort if there is no electricity (electricity is plan A for me) and you need to grind significant amounts by hand. I would say it is about half the effort, maybe less, and it depends on the ratio. Half the effort is a lot when cups of flour are needed. I prefer golden flax, but either will do in a pinch if you like that.

I'm glad you brought the topic of flax up. I've two directions to take this:

First, I've heard that flax seed has a short shelf life. So I'm wondering if you buy yours dehydrated from some source? Or if you actually grow your own? When I've bought flax from the health food store, my understanding has been to refrigerate it because it can go rancid fast.

The early settlers grew flax and made clothing with it. I wonder if they ate the seed too? Does anybody know more about this? How did they store it?

Second, what type of grinder do you have? Or you saying that your grain (like wheat or whatever) actually grinds better when you mix flax seed in with it?

I use a little coffee bean grinder for my flax seeds and I prefer golden too.

[RobertP]

I have used it as a cover crop in my garden, never grown it to maturity and harvested, no. I think it does improved my soil. This year I let it get a couple of feet high instead of a couple of inches, we'll see if any grows back next year.

As far as quality of flour, I prefer electric. If someone knows of a hand grinder that makes a fine flour, I may be interested if it isn't at the price of way more work, it's already enough.

Flax is soft and high in oil, so if the grinder can grind it directly like mine can, or can't directly but can take a little mixed with appropriate grains like my whisper mill can, then in a hand grinder it makes it much easier to turn. Between being physically soft and high in lubricating oil, it saves on the arms. I think my grinder is called Back to Basics.

Being somewhat gluten free myself and dancing around the wheat and storage issue, I have had brown rice go rancid in around a year, so I just try to keep that rotating. Flax, I should have thought the same thing and it makes sense that it would, but I have not noticed any rancid flavor at all. I bet mine is a year old, give or take a little. For me, although I like it, a little also goes a long way. I only bought 25 pounds to start. Flax oil will go rancid very quickly, but it looks like stored in the original packaging it is good for a little longer. You'll have some pretense of 1 of the 3 Omega 3 oils in your food storage this way too along with other benefits. Sprouters can sprout this, but I only tried once and they stuck together in an unuseable clump, so I'll have to try another strategy next time.