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Seed SUNZA's (tm)

While our Seed SUNZA’s are primarily flax based, we have added varieties of beneficial seeds to our mix to enhance and balance the overall experience. Included in all of our seed SUNZA’s are a combination of flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds.

Each of these types of seeds has their own benefits and we discuss each separately.

Flax

Flax comes from the blue-flowered plant crop grown mainly in the cool, northern climate of the western Canadian prairies. Flax contains the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA); fibre; and lignans.

About 42% of flax seed is oil, and more than 70% of that oil is polyunsaturated fat, a healthy fat. Flax also contains 57% of the important omega-3 fatty acid, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).

What makes flax stand out above other whole grains is its mix of fibre. Rather than containing large amounts of one type of fibre, flax seeds contain generous quantities of both soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre can lower blood cholesterol levels, while insoluble fibre moves the stool through the colon more quickly, helping bowel movements.

Researchers are particularly interested in the cancer-fighting ability of lignans. Flax is one of the richest sources of lignans (phytoestrogens)in the plant kingdom, providing up to 800 times more lignans than most other foods in the vegetarian diet.

There are two types of flax, golden and brown. Nutritionally, there is little difference between the two.

Adding flax to your diet
At terratree, we are concerned with EVERY aspect of diet and it’s relationship to health. While we promote the consumption of flax, we are also taking a look at the form in which it is consumed. There are various ways in which to do this --- these are

Unfortunately, the omega 3 oil component of the seed is very volatile and denatures very, very quickly after pressing or grinding. Infact, most products do not even make it to the shelves before turning rancid. Therefore, the way a product is processed and handled is of utmost importance.  
At terratree, we neither press nor grind our flax. The seed is always intact. We increase the nutrient density by a soak process which brings the flax to the point of sprouting*.We then gently dry it in the form of a flat bread or cracker – known as a SUNZA.
*(Infact, we constantly have flax sprouts growing in our mops and dishcloths after the fallen seeds from the dehydration process are picked up).