Hi everyone,

I recently came across a health food store. I noticed a Flaxseed oil dark bottle on a shelf (which I wasn't planning to originally buy), and since I've heard good feedbacks on it from others I decided to try it out.

The thing is that both the bottle and the oil itself have quite a strong rather unpleasant smell and milder taste. I was thinking it is the oil's nature odor since I never used it before but I did know oils are easily perishable and confirmed it later searching over the internet. Note that the oil bottle wasn't refrigerated at the store I bought it from but it did look quite new (just an impression, haven't yet checked the date).

My question is to those who have used it, does it normally have this strong odor? If not should I discard it or it's still usable?

Thanks

It has a pretty strong odor for an oil even when very fresh.
When it goes off, the odor is very disinctly RANCID. There is really no way to descibe rancid, you KNOW it or you DON'T. Like a VERY old bottle of olive oil or corn oil...or ancient NUTS!

To prevent rancidity, kep the linseed oil (flax) in the freezer if you are planning to open it and keep it a couple months. For a couple weeks, the fridge is ok.

Off the shelf in a tightly sealed bottle will almost always use fresh oil...it's the oxygen in the air that's the culprit (and warmth.)

It should have a nutty flavour and while I am not a fan of sipping it plain it should not make you gag - if it does then you know it's gone bad.

Some manufacturers say you do not need to refrigerate their flaxoil before it's opened but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Once opened you should use your bottle w/in 4 weeks as it will turn from light and heat oxidation (this is why the bottle is so dark)

Nat