But chances are you can now find chia at your local grocery store, in everything from granolas and cereals to yogurts and energy drinks.
Where Do Chia Seeds Come From?
Chia seeds come from salvia hispanica, a flowering mint plant native to parts of Mexico and Guatemala.
Chia seeds have only become a commercially popular health food in the last decade or so, but they're actually one of the oldest forms of nutrition and were a staple of diets.
Chia seeds have an extremely subtle flavor and are therefore prioritized for texture over taste.
Their most obvious characteristic is that they absorb a shocking amount of liquid up to 10 times their dry weight swelling into miniature tapioca like balls.
Dry chia seeds can also be added whole or ground to smoothies and juices, mixed into yogurt and oatmeal, or sprinkled on top of a salad.
If you're adding the seeds to a drink or a "wet" dish like porridge, they'll swell up slightly while you eat but retain a slight crunch.
You can easily make chia seed pudding, one of the most popular ways to eat the seeds.
Since chia doesn't have a ton of flavor on its own, feel free to add spices, chopped fruit, nuts, and any other toppings you'd like.
Organic Chia Seeds:
1. Chia is a superfood for the 21st Century;
2. Chia is one of the richest known plant sources of Omega 3 fatty acids in the world;
3. It provides more heart healthy, anti-inflammatory Omega 3 benefits than salmon, flaxseed, or any other food;
4. Chia has an advantage over flax seed since Chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid;
5. Chia is easily absorbed, non toxic, gluten free and non allergenic;
6. Research suggests that Chia seeds may help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer;
7. Chia has double the antioxidants found in blueberries;
8. They have 6 times the calcium of milk;
9. Mix some with orange or any fruit juice, the gel like seeds make a nutritious breakfast and can help control excess weight;
