10 Best Tried and True Japanese Flaxseed Oils in 2022 (Senior Oil Sommelier-Reviewed)
Today, we will introduce flaxseed oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and great for supporting you during your diet. Some people say it can smell too much like fish and has a bitter taste to it. Wouldn't you like to find the ones that have a good balance of both smell and taste?
Luckily, our editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping for the nine most popular flaxseed oils. Then we put them to the test!
With the help of three oil sommeliers from the Japan Oil Beauty Association (JOBA), we examined each flaxseed oil for the following three criteria.
- Aroma
- Taste
- Compatibility with miso soup
So just which flaxseed oil has the best balance of taste and aroma? Use this article as a reference to help you make your purchase!
Quick List - Top Japanese Flaxseed Oils
She's an Oil and Clay Sommelier at JOBA, the chairman of an organic oil cosmetic school, and was the leader of a beauty workshop at the OIL in LIFE EXPO in 2018.
Chef and coordinator or events and seminars as a JOBA recognized oil sommelier. She has a reputation for making food good for both the mind and body throughout each season. She creates recipes, gives lectures on oil, and runs cooking classes focused on Japanese medicinal foods. http://instagram.com/LEBEAUCUISINE
She's a senior sommelier at Japan Oil Beauty Association (JOBA), and she also works as a ground employee at a foreign-owned airline company. She's also a recognized lecturer and leader at JOBA's head office.
Born in Osaka and currently residing in Kobe. Senior Oil Sommelier at JOBA, leader of events and seminars, writer of advice columns, and participator in numerous other activities. Advocate for the use of oils to support beauty and health. Holds a number of licenses and positions, including SIDSCO esthetician, Japan Sommelier Association, and Wine Expert.
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The Difference between Flaxseed Oil and Perilla Oil
Many people wonder about the difference between flaxseed oil and perilla oil. Both have healthy properties. Here are the main differences between the two.
The ratio of fatty acids varies.
- Flaxseed oil: alpha-linolenic acid 60%, linoleic acid 15.4%, oleic acid 14.5%
- Perilla oil: alpha-linolenic acid 60%, linoleic acid 14.3%, oleic acid 14.4%
And the polyphenol content varies.
- Flaxseed oil contains lignan, whereas perilla oil is a good source of luteolin and rosmarinic acid.
How to Choose Japanese Flaxseed Oils
Senior Oil Sommelier
Mikiko Nakanishi
Born in Osaka and currently residing in Kobe. Senior Oil Sommelier at JOBA, leader of events and seminars, writer of advice columns, and participator in numerous other activities.
Advocate for the use of oils to support beauty and health. Holds a number of licenses and positions, including SIDSCO esthetician, Japan Sommelier Association, and Wine Expert.
Select an Oil That has been Cold Pressed
When deciding on a flaxseed oil, make sure it has been cold pressed. Usually, if oils are extracted using high temperatures and chemical solutions, they are able to be extracted at high volumes in only a short period of time.
However, doing so with flaxseed oil would destroy the alpha-linolenic acid inside, which would weaken its nutritional effect. There is also the fear of inciting the growth of trans-fatty acids. Because of that, make sure your flaxseed oil has been cold pressed before purchasing.
"When oils aren't cold pressed, they oxidize and change in color, which will need to be compensated for by using additives. However, even though we say cold pressed, there's actually no decisive temperature for best results.
According to JOBA, anything under 100°F is considered low temperature, but for those of you picky about temperature, it might be good to contact the company and ask."
Go with a Tinted Glass Bottle
Flaxseed oils oxidize quite quickly. That's why it would be wise to purchase one that comes in a bottle capable of blocking out sunlight. Oxidized oils not only taste worse, but they attach themselves to free radicals in your body and can produce fatty acid peroxides that engender aging. Fluorescent light, in addition to sunlight, can cause oils to oxidize, so make sure to store your oils in the refrigerator.
"Try and avoid clear, transparent bottles, since they can cause your oil to oxidize much faster than normal. Also, plastic bottles may cause unexpected chemical reactions, so be sure to choose one that comes in a glass bottle."
Look for an Unrefined Oil
There are two kinds of flaxseed oils, the unrefined type extracted directly from flax and a refined type that's been made easier to ingest. In order to get the most nutrition out of your oil, choose an unrefined one.
Refined oil is odorless and colorless, and lacks that unique bitterness inherent to flaxseed oil, in order to make it easier for people to ingest. However, it loses quite a bit of nutrition in the process, which is then compensated for by the addition of additives.
Purchasing an unrefined oil that's been extracted using the cold press method is what we believe to be the best choice.
"The best flaxseed to choose is an unrefined one, with a thick color and a distinct bitter taste. Refining a flaxseed oil results in a loss of fat-soluble vitamins and alpha-linolenic acid. The color of refined flaxseed oil thins and it loses its bitterness, but doing so harms the product itself, which is the opposite of what you want to do.
However, I do recommend a less bitter flaxseed oil for those of you wishing to add it to vegetables, natto, or tomato juice. Consuming it raw instead of cooking it is the secret to getting the most nutrition out of your flaxseed oil."
Get a Size You'll be Able to Finish in a Month's Time
One disadvantage of flaxseed oil is how quickly it goes bad, especially since it doesn't contain any additives. So, make sure you use it up before that happens (usually within a month).
"Flaxseed oil doesn't contain any antioxidants or preservatives, making it very susceptible to oxidation, and it goes bad rather quickly. Make sure to purchase just enough to match your consumption rate. Also, be sure to refrigerate it after opening and use it up within a month if possible."
Choose an Organic Oil with a JAS, BIO, or USDA Mark
If you're taking flaxseed oil for your health, one important criteria is whether or not it has been certified by JAS or an overseas association as being organic. If it has been, it will surely say so on the package, so be sure to check for it when purchasing.
"It is difficult to know the exact manufacturing process of any oil, and one of the most difficult among all those oils is the delicate flaxseed oil.
For those of you worried about how it's made, check for a JAS, USDA, or BIO mark on the package. Oils with one of these marks were cultivated and produced with it being organic in mind. Just keep in mind that this mark says nothing about the actual quality of the product itself."
10 Best Japanese Flaxseed Oils Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Science Flaxseed Oil | | Our Number One Flaxseed Oil That Suits Any Dish | |
2 | Cana Flaxseed Oil | | Experience the Rich, Bitter Flavor of Our Runner-up! | |
3 | BeniBana Ichiban Shibori Flaxseed Oil | | A Seaweed Scent That Suits Miso Perfectly | |
4 | Azuma Coco Grove Organic Flaxseed Oil | | A Strong Flaxseed Oil with the Scent of Medicinal Plants | |
5 | BeniBana Organic Flaxseed Oil | | Great for Miso Soup, but a Little Bitter | |
6 | NIPPN Flaxseed Oil | | A Flaxseed Oil with a Rich and Heavy Taste | |
7 | Biokura Flaxseed Oil | | A Bitter-Tasting Flaxseed Oil | |
8 | Seijo Ishii Canadian Flaxseed Oil | | Good for People Who Dislike a Strong Flax Aroma | |
9 | Nisshin Oillio Flaxseed Oil｜3-pack | | A Greasy Flaxseed Oil with Little Flavor | |
10 | NIPPN Flaxseed Oil｜Case of 24 | | A Flaxseed Oil with Almost no Bitterness |
Our Number One Flaxseed Oil That Suits Any Dish
The winning flaxseed oil of our ranking gave us a boost of power with its plant-like aroma and refreshing bitterness. It earned top scores in all categories!
Its cold-press production method definitely aided in its great taste, and its flavor balance could suit pasta, salads, yogurt, and pretty much everything. This organic, unrefined, and additive-free oil impressed all three of our judges.
Experience the Rich, Bitter Flavor of Our Runner-up!
This flaxseed oil doesn't have that fishy smell present in some others. What it does have is that distinct aroma common to most. We recommend this oil for those looking for a flaxseed oil really worthy of the name, but not for those who don't do well with bitter foods.
The oil itself has a somewhat raw taste and didn't change the taste of the miso soup all that much, making it a perfect addition.
A Seaweed Scent That Suits Miso Perfectly
We just love how this oil has the bitter scent of seaweed. You can imagine our surprise when first tasting it.
This oil pairs wonderfully with miso soup. Although it's perfectly fine-tasting on its own, we recommend adding it to your dishes as well.
A Strong Flaxseed Oil with the Scent of Medicinal Plants
This flaxseed oil has an almost herbal scent to it and a strong bitterness for those of you who like that sort of thing.
After the bitter taste comes a unique aftertaste, which we think pairs great with miso soup. It's made from imported, organic flaxseed from Italy that's certified by JAS.
Great for Miso Soup, but a Little Bitter
This flaxseed oil has a weak aroma and bitter taste. Since it doesn't have that fishy smell to it, it goes perfectly with not only miso soup but other dishes as well.
It's a bit on the bitter side, so it's recommended for those of you who like a tinge of bitterness in their dishes.
A Bitter-Tasting Flaxseed Oil
This flaxseed oil has a bit of a bitterness to it that you'll taste even after you eat it.
It doesn't have that usual aroma of flaxseed oil but rather the scent is more like rice-bran oil. However, adding it to your miso soup won't change the flavor of it all too much.
Good for People Who Dislike a Strong Flax Aroma
This one has a color as if it were refined and has a salty taste to it. It's a bit astringent, but the fragrance is weak, so it's perfect for those of you who are normally averse to the smell and taste of flaxseed oil.
How We Tested the Products
We purchased the top best-selling Japanese flaxseed oils from Japanese websites like Amazon and Rakuten and put them to the test!
We tested each product for the following three criteria.
① Aroma
② Taste
③ Compatibility with miso soup
Test ① Aroma
Before tasting any of the oils, we had our experts check each one's aroma. We rated those with the least fishy smell with an A+ and the rest comparatively.
The Seaweed-Scented Flaxseed Oil Came out on Top!
The oils that rated the highest in our aroma test were the ones that smelled the most like seaweed. These proved to lack that fishy smell evident in most flaxseed oils, so even people who don't particularly like that characteristic of flaxseed oil would love it. These mild oils would be perfect for cooking, too.
"Other than what we've seen, flaxseed oils with a tinge of lemon or orange would be perfect for people who don't like the smell or taste of fish or seaweed. I originally thought that unique scents would clash with dishes but the fresh scent mixed with that of fish was actually rather nice."
Test ② Taste
Next, our experts tasted each flaxseed oil by itself. Those that proved the best-tasting received a rating of A+.
The More Bitter it is, the More it Seems Like "Flaxseed"
We know that a lot of people out there don't like the bitter taste of flaxseed oil but the more bitter an oil is, the less fishy it tastes. Also, we found those oils that had the bitterness of seaweed to be the easiest to drink.
"We tested a number of bitter oils with the scent of seaweed during our investigation. The best did not have the bitterness you'd get with something fishy; it was a more refreshing kind of bitterness. You could taste it at first but it goes away quickly, leaving just an all around good taste in your mouth."
Test ③ Compatibility with Miso Soup
We recommend adding flaxseed oil to your miso soup. That's why we chose it to test during our examination of each oil. The oils that were most compatible were given a rating of A+.
Seaweed-Flavored Flaxseed Oils were the Most Compatible!
Flaxseed oils with the scent and bitter taste of seaweed were found to pair the best with miso soup.
Even fishy-smelling oils rated high since the bitterness disappears when adding it to the soup. We recommend adding it to your soup, even if you don't like flaxseed oil all that much.
"We were able to enjoy oils with the scent and taste of seaweed and a hint of mellow bitterness. They are good all by themselves but their deliciousness is on a whole different level if you add it to your miso soup. Surprisingly enough, it would even taste good on vanilla ice cream!"
Improve Your Cooking with These Other Great Oils!
While you're at it, why not get yourself another oil to spice up other dishes! Check out the articles below to help you make your purchases.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.