Chia seeds, our favorite superfood
Chia is an edible seed of Salvia hispanica, a flowering plant from the mint family (Lamiaceae), originating from Central America. It is also connected to Salvia columbariae from the southwest of the US and Mexico. Chia seeds are of an oval shape, grey with black and white spots and about one millimeter wide.
Chia seeds are an ancient food that was once used by the Aztec warriors during their travels. It was believed then that one spoonful of chia seeds can keep a solider full for up to 24 hours. Aztecs used to grow chia seed as one of their main food crops. Jesuit historians placed chia sees as the third most important food crop in Aztec culture, after corn and beans, but before amaranth. Aztec priest offers were often payed in chia seeds.
Today, chia seeds are grown in small amount in the ancestral lands of central Mexico and Guatemala as well as commercially in central and south America.
Incredible ability of water absorption
Chia seeds are hydrophilic which means that when soaked in water they absorb up to 12 times their size in liquids and produce a slimy layer that gives them the characteristic gel texture. In the shape of the gel. They can be mixed with other foods without changing their flavor. This makes tha an excellant choice for weight loss programs.
The seeds have excellent nutritional value and they are one of the rare condiments that provide full proteins. Moreover, they are a rich source of antioxidants, Omega 3 fatty acids, alfa linoleic acid, soluble and insoluble fibers, minerals such as calcium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc, as well as B vitamins - niacin, riboflavin and thiamine.
Many different ways of eating it
Chia seeds can be sprinkled over a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, potatoes, ice-cream, cereals od anything else with which you would like to mix it. The seeds have a slight nutty flavor and will easily blend with the flavor of other condiments. The recommended daily dose is around 1 spoonful of the seeds. It's recommended to keep them in tightly sealed glass or plastic containers in a dry place to keep them fresh. Chia can also bi used as a face mask – try it!
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