What Are Flax Seeds?

Flax seeds are a small oilseed, called alsi in Hindi, that shows up in Indian kitchens whole, ground into a coarse meal, or pressed into oil. Each form behaves differently, which is why the same seed appears across such different recipes.

What actually defines them

A small, flat oilseed with a hard outer shell, sold whole, roasted, or pressed into oil.
Known as alsi in Hindi and widely used across regional Indian cooking, from chutneys to a simple roasted snack.
Whole seeds pass through digestion largely intact unless chewed thoroughly or ground first, which is why grinding is common.
Higher in oil content than most pulses, which is what makes pressing them into oil possible in the first place.
Comes in golden and brown colour varieties, which differ mainly in appearance rather than in how they are used.

Picked this week

Flax to try

Khutmili Farm I · Khutmili

Plain Flax Seed

$1.04 · 1 KG

Khutmili Farm I · Khutmili

Roasted Flax Seeds

$1.24 · 1 KG

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Flax seed questions

Is alsi the same as flax seed?: Yes, alsi is simply the Hindi name for flax seed, the same seed sold under either term.
Do flax seeds need to be ground before eating?: Grinding is common since whole seeds can pass through digestion largely intact, but they can also be eaten whole, especially roasted.
Are flax seeds a traditional Indian ingredient?: Yes, particularly in Maharashtrian cooking, where roasted and ground flax appears in chutneys and everyday condiments.
Can flax seeds be pressed into oil at home?: Not practically. Oil pressing needs equipment beyond a home kitchen, which is why pressed flaxseed oil is bought rather than made at home.

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