Do flax seeds usually smell like paint?

Question

Today i bought cookies made with flax seed, and when i opened the box, a smell similar to that of oil based paint threw me on the floor. I wonder what could cause such a smell besides flax, and if the smell is intensified when the seeds are old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flax

Answer 1

If memory serves me correctly, flax seed oil is sometimes used in paint. You may have a "reverse mental connection" going.

The flax seed cookies probably smell like they're supposed to, but you've already associated the odor with paint. If you'd bought the cookies first, you'd probably think that paint smells like flax seed cookies! :-)

Answer 2

For centuries, oil-based paint was based on linseed oil and thinned by linseed oil. Linseeds are flax seeds! I'm not sure they're exactly the same plant, but very closely related. So no wonder!

Flax seeds are a very concentrated food. If you get a lot together and smell them they will smell very strong. But they taste better than that! They're very good for you, in the proper small doses.

Because of the oil they contain, flax seeds can go bad if you keep them around too long. The oil oxidizes and goes 'rancid'. Then it doesn't smell as good. This happens faster with pre-ground flax seed than whole seed.

Answer 3

Yes, flaxseed oil is used in paints. And yes, if you are used to working with the old oil-based paints, flaxseed is going to remind you of paint. and yes, when the seeds or oil turn rancid the smell is intensified.

Answer 4

do flax and chia smell like cod liver oil, or have they gone bad

Answer 5

I had that same problem....