What does rancidity smell like? Does it smell similar to halitosis by any chance?

Question

Do all rancid foods give off the same scent? I made some homemade granola that I eat every morning at work. I added some ground-up flax seeds because of their apparent health benefits. On the third day eating from this batch I noticed a weird aftertaste -- really an 'aftersmell' - reminiscent of bad breath (the halitosis kind, which I normally don't have, mind you). I recall reading that flaxseeds (and other seeds too I think) are prone to becoming rancid. So I am wondering if perhaps I am smelling something slightly rancid in my granola.


Other than the smell it tastes pretty good and I don't feel sick or anything after eating it.



So I thought this kind of question would be a good use of Yahoo Answers.... Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

You had best make it fresh every day and keep the ingredients in a cool place.

Flax seeds have a lot of oil and also protein in them. This can be affected by bacteria and fungus (can actually be dangerous if you don't keep it safely).

Answer 2

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RE:
What does rancidity smell like? Does it smell similar to halitosis by any chance?
Do all rancid foods give off the same scent? I made some homemade granola that I eat every morning at work. I added some ground-up flax seeds because of their apparent health benefits. On the third day eating from this batch I noticed a weird aftertaste -- really an 'aftersmell' - ...

Answer 3

Not all rancid food smells the same. Rancid milk is probably the worst thing I've ever smelt - it's very sour. Rancid meat smells almost sweet - disgusting, but kind of sweet. Rancid fat is pretty nasty too, but nowhere near as bad as milk. If you think something in your granola is rancid, or has started to ferment or rot, I wouldn't continue eating it. Maybe you could make another batch and keep the leftovers in the fridge?

I found this info after doing a google search:

Oxidation/Rancidity: The oil in flax is highly unsaturated. This means that it is very prone to oxidation (rancidity) unless it is stored correctly. The very best way is nature’s own storage system – within the seed. Flax seeds not exposed to large amounts of heat stay safe to eat for at least a year. However, flax meal, and especially flax oil, are a different story. The meal, stored away from heat and light, will keep fresh for a few months, and the oil must be protected by refrigeration in dark containers, preferably being consumed within a few weeks of opening.

Actually, the surprising thing about flax is not that the oils go rancid, but that they don’t go rancid as quickly as we would think, considering how unsaturated they are. The oils are quite stable in baked foods, for example. Researchers theorize that this is due to the high levels of antioxidants in the seeds.

Answer 4

It's a point where food starts to "turn" because it is being eaten by microbes. I guess it IS just like "Bad Breath" since that is usually caused by acids and bacteria breaking down proteins, fats, and carbs into waste elements. (Especially bacteria/microbes which exude WASTE when they process the food.)

It is good to become familiar with what foods NATURALLY smell like and when they go bad.

Some food can be salvaged with cooking, but it is better to eat FRESH FOODS.

Also, sometimes food can absorb odors from other foods, or if frozen, get freezer burn.

Keep food in airtight environments, and you will lessen the chance of bacterial breakdowns!

Answer 5

I believe different foods smell differently when they spoil.

I have no experience with flaxseeds or granola but I do know the smell of bad breath - totally different smell from rancid food.

Throw your granola mix out! Get some bacon and eggs or some cereal!!!

Answer 6

As I like to say, "when in doubt, throw it out!"

Rancidity changes depending upon what exactly is rancid (milk vs. flax seeds, etc.) Flax DOES go rancid, especially if the seeds are ground and not refrigerated... but I'm not sure if it would make you sick...