What are Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds come from the flowering plant Salvia hispanica, which is part of the mint family. As you can tell by the name, this plant is native to Central America.
Fun Fact: Chia is the ancient Mayan and Aztec word for Strength.
Taste: Chia seeds have a very mild, nutty flavor.
Chia seeds can be eaten raw, and have a crunchy and dense texture. Sprinkle them in cereal, salads, soups, yogurt … Try homemade granola bars with chia seeds. Get the Granola Bar recipe here.
When combined with liquid, the texture changes completely. Chia seeds are hydrophilic, meaning they can absorb up to 12 times their weight in liquid when soaked in water or other liquid. This property makes chia seeds enlarge and have a gel-like texture.
What are the Health Benefits of Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are packed with goodness and is an energy bomb: fiber, protein, the good omega-3 fats, calcium, maganese, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as zinc, potassium, and vitamin B1, B2, and B3.
Chia seeds are loaded with antioxidants, which help prevent cancer and other diseases.
Some say that chia seeds promote weight loss. The protein factor could help increase satiety and reduce food intake.
