Fennel Seed vs. Flaxseed

Fennel Seed vs. Flaxseed

Incorporating more seeds into your diet is an excellent way to boost your essential vitamins and minerals intake. Their small size and nutrient-rich nature make it easy to add them to any recipefrom granola to smoothies. But, if you'd like to try out a new seed and don't know where to start, we're here to help. Fennel and flaxseed are two superseeds that can take your recipes from good to great. And while they may sound similar, they are very different. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between fennel seed vs. flaxseed and how you can begin cooking with each today.

What Is Fennel Seed?

Often used when pickling vegetables or creating seasonings, fennel seeds have an aromatic nature that will elevate any recipe you add them to. They're also rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber and make an excellent addition to your diet. But what are fennel seeds exactly? Fennel seeds are harvested from the flowers of the fennel plant and dried before consumption. They are typically pale green or tan in color and have an oval shape. These seeds produce a sweet, licorice-like flavor that adds an earthy taste to dishes and pairs exceptionally well with seafood.

Anise and Fennel

Fennel and anise are often confused due to their similar flavor and the fact that they are both a part of the parsley family. However, anise and fennel are entirely separate species of plants. Anise is primarily grown and harvested for its seeds. In contrast, fennel is grown for its seeds and bulb. Additionally, anise features a much more robust and sharper licorice flavor than fennel.

Health Benefits of Fennel

Fennel seeds may be tiny, but they pack a big nutritional punch. Fennel is loaded with essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. It also contains manganese, which is vital for bone health. Adding a small amount of fennel seed to your weekly recipe is an excellent way to boost the nutrients in your food and create healthy, balanced meals. fennel seeds in a jar

Where to Purchase Fennel Seeds

On the hunt for fennel seeds? These seeds can be found in the dried spices section of most grocery stores. When using fennel in your recipes, we recommend purchasing whole fennel seeds. While ground fennel is also available for purchase, whole fennel seeds offer maximum flavor and freshness. Enjoy fennel seeds on their own as a healthy snack, use them as a natural mouth freshener, or work these seeds into your favorite recipes.

How to Use Fennel Seeds

Fennel seed's strong flavor means that this ingredient will shine in any recipe you add it to. Additionally, because it's a versatile spice, it can be used in several ways. For example, add fennel seed to your favorite soup or use it as a crust for beef or fish. Begin using fennel seed today and try out the delicious recipe below!

Sweet and Spicy Salmon Rub

If your household loves seafood dinners, then salmon is an excellent fish to add to the menu. Loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can be combined with all sorts of flavors to create a mouth-watering dish. For a salmon dinner, everyone will enjoy, try this Sweet and Spicy Salmon Rub. To make this rub, brown sugar is combined with fragrant spices to create a delicious blend for seasoning salmon. What's more, you can substitute coconut sugar in this recipe to create a paleo-friendly version. This rub can also be used for pork tenderloin and beef.

What Is Flaxseed?

Flaxseed is a superfood currently rising to the top of the health and wellness space. Flax seeds, also known as flax or linseeds, are tiny oil seeds harvested from the flax plant. Believed to have originated in the Middle East, they've been enjoyed as food for thousands of years. Flaxseed's many health benefits have earned them the superfood title. Rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fats, vitamins and minerals, they're an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

Types of Flaxseed

When searching for flaxseed at your local grocery store, you'll likely notice that there are two types: Brown and golden flaxseed. While both types feature incredible benefits, brown flaxseeds have a slightly more robust flavor than golden ones. They also contain higher amounts of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Here's a quick overview of each. golden and brown flaxeed

Brown Flaxseed

Brown flaxseed is commonly known as linseed, the seeds harvested from the flax plant. Our Bob's Red Mill Brown Flaxseed is larger than sesame seeds and loaded with nutrients. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, dietary fiber and protein, they're a delicious addition to all of your homemade recipes. Use brown flaxseeds to make bread, cookies, cereals and pilafswe're confident you won't be disappointed.

Golden Flaxseed

Golden flaxseed adds a delicious nutty flavor to baked goods like muffins, cookies and bread. Additionally, it's loaded with nutrients and helps to provide an extra boost of energy throughout the day. Like brown flaxseed, golden flaxseed can be eaten ground or whole. Purchasing ground flaxseed or making it at home helps make the nutrients from the seeds better available to your body. Moreover, ground flaxseed can be used to create an egg substitute by simply combining it with water.

Benefits of Flaxseed

If you're eager to use flaxseed in your meals, take a moment to review its many benefits. It is jam-packed with superfood qualities and can be added directly to your recipes or enjoyed as a snack.

Good for Digestion

Flaxseeds are rich in fibera nutrient essential to a well-working digestive system. Consuming enough fiber can help add bulk to your stools and promote regularity. Additionally, when consumed, fiber can slow down the overall digestive process and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Just a serving of flaxseeds a day will provide you with 29% of your recommended minimum daily fiber intake.

Rich in Healthy Fats

Flaxseeds are a good source of healthy fats known as omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming more healthy fats can help protect your heart and even prevent disease. A diet rich in healthy fats has also been linked to reduced inflammation levels and is ideal for individuals with autoimmune disorders. pizza with flaxseed

Regulates Cholesterol Levels

Flaxseeds work with your body to increase the amount of fat excreted through your digestive systema crucial process for individuals with high cholesterol levels. The soluble fiber in flaxseed works to trap the fat and cholesterol in the digestive system. And, because it can't be absorbed, it's released through the digestive tract, lowering cholesterol levels in the process.

How to Use Flaxseed

Flaxseeds make an excellent ingredient for cooking and baking. They taste great when added to smoothies and provide a satisfying crunch in salads and baked goods. Start incorporating flaxseeds into your diet today and try the tasty recipes below.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread with Flaxseeds and Pepitas

We love having sweet bread on hand for snacking, and this Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread with Flaxseeds and Pepitas checks all boxes. Delicious, nutritious and safe for gluten free individuals to enjoy, it's simple to make and sure to become a household favorite. Bake this recipe the next time you crave something sweet and share it with the people you love.

Fennel Seed vs. Flaxseed

While fennel seed and flaxseed are both seeds, they have many differences and are used in varying ways. Here's a quick overview of how fennel and flaxseeds compare.

Taste

Flaxseeds have a mild taste that pairs well with sweet and savory dishes. In fact, flaxseed's flavor is so light you likely won't be able to tell it's in the recipe. On the other hand, fennel has a much stronger and more intense taste that shines through any dish. Because of this, fennel must be combined with specific foods and spices to ensure it's not too overpowering. Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread with Flaxseeds and Pepitas

Texture

When enjoyed whole, fennel and flaxseeds provide a tasty crunch to whatever they are combined with. These seeds can be ground into a meal and worked into soup recipes, sauces and smoothies. Fennel seeds are long and thin and can vary in color from brown to light green. Flaxseeds are small and smooth and come in several colors, the two most common being: brown and golden yellow.

Nutrition

When comparing fennel and flaxseed's nutritional value, each offers unique benefits. Flaxseeds boast a significantly higher protein content, whereas fennel seeds contain much more fiber. Though both foods are great for you, we recommend reviewing the nutritional values of each before purchasing to determine which will work best for your dietary needs. Both excellent sources of nutrition, fennel seed and flaxseed, deserve a space in your pantry. Recreate one of the recipes above, or make a meal from scratch. Were sure that whatever you decide to make with these seeds will turn out delicious. From the Bob's Red Mill family to yours, we wish you a healthy and happy day! If, after reading this article, you'd like to learn more about flaxseeds, we encourage you to read the articles: Health Benefits of Flaxseeds and Does Flaxseed Go Bad?
Bob's Red Mill
July 22 2022

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