Flaxseed comes from the flax plant, also known as Linum usitatissimum, which grows to be about 2 feet tall. It likely was first grown in Egypt but has been cultivated all around the world. Its nutty-tasting seeds can be eaten on their own or crushed and cold-pressed to release flaxseed oil.
For decades, it had been common to find flaxseed used in things like cereal or bread, but it has developed a niche in the health food industry in the past decade or so. People are aware of the seed’s health benefits and now have many options to buy it. Whether as a supplement or as an ingredient they add to a variety of foods, the idea is to get into a habit of consuming the seed on a regular basis.