Flaxseed

The plant is as old as human history and is one of the oldest cultivated plants, the so-called ancient crops. Its origin is unknown. It is known, however, that the seed was already being eaten in antiquity. Mesopotamia is the cradle of human civilisation, so flax cultivation probably spread across the world from this region. In the past, all sorts of things were made from flaxseed, also known as linseed, such as linen for clothing, yarns, thread and fishing nets. Flax seeds and woven flax linen have been found in Egyptian tombs.
Nowadays, flaxseed mostly comes from China or Kazakhstan.

Flaxseed is the seed of flax (linium usitatissimum), a genus with more than 230 herb species that thrives only in very rich loamy soil. Flax is an annual plant that, depending on the variety, can grow to between 50 and 120 cm tall. Before harvesting, the stalks are first stripped of their leaves and seeds, a process known as rippling. Flaxseed has a mild, nutty flavour.