Flax, flax seed, or linseed is a plant that is a member of the linaceae family, which includes 150 plant species around the world. As a crop the flax plant has a blue flower and is mainly grown for its seed. Flax seeds range in colour from golden yellow to dark brown.

The short answer is no. Despite the colour difference they both have the same nutritional characteristics. The nutritional value of flax may vary due to climatic conditions and the amount of daylight during the growing period. Some may prefer the taste of the golden flax, this is due to the tannins found in the seed coat, which to some, may taste sweeter when compared to brown flax seed.

The advantage of eating flax seed over flax oil is that flax seed is a complete food providing you with the benefits of Omega-3, 6 & 9 EFA's, fibre, protein, plant lignans, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Flax oil, expelled from the flax seed, contains the EFA's but not the fibre, protein and plant lignans (an anti-cancer agent). Flax seed contains approximately 40% oil.