Cold-pressed flaxseed oil

Huile de lin

What it is

The same oil that dries hard into paint and linoleum is eaten raw in Germany and Russia: Spreewald quark with linseed oil and potatoes is a regional dish, not a health fad. It dries because its fat is triply unsaturated, which is also why it turns bitter within weeks of pressing and is never sold in a clear bottle.

In the kitchen

Buy the smallest bottle that carries a pressing date, keep it in the fridge, finish it in six weeks and never bring it near a pan. Serve it cold over quark, boiled potatoes or a beetroot salad — if it smells of fish or paint it has oxidised, and it goes out.

Goes with

Potato Fromage blanc Beetroot Chives Yogurt Rye berries

Same species

Flaxseed

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