extracting oils out of flax

[gbidruglord]

Does anybody think you'd be able to extract any useful omega-3 acids out of of milled flax by using hot water? I had the idea by brewing my decaf coffee this morning. What would happen if I added a little ground flax to my coffee grounds?

Or would it just taste horrible?

[biogeek]

Re: extracting oils out of flax

I don't think you'll be able to extra much omega oils at all with hot water. I say this because water is a polar "solvent" and the omega oils (and all oils in general) in the flax seeds are non-polar and would not be attracted to the polarity of the water. You should be able to extract it with a fatty liquid like cream or melted butter (but not for your coffee).

Since you have milled flax seed, how about mixing it with your scrambled eggs or some other hot meal? You'll get the omega oils and the fiber. Can't beat that.

[gbidruglord]

Re: extracting oils out of flax

We already do used the milled flax in our eggs and such. I was just in an inquisitive sort of mood

As far as the oil goes, I was thinking along the lines of coffee beans. A lot of darker roasts of coffee will have an oily coating/sheen to them and I have noticed some of this oil on the top of a some of my homebrewed espresso.

So in essence, I wouldn't be extracting the flax oil by dissolving using water, but just coaxing it out along for the ride. Wow, my brain does not like chemistry at lunchtime.

[biogeek]

Re: extracting oils out of flax

hmmmm.....I just don't know how much you could extract, i.e. how much heat, oil, and time you would need to extract the oil from the flax. You can give it a try to see if it even tastes good, but whether you actually extract any omega oils from it, you'll have to know the right lab rats to test your concoction. Let me know how it tastes!