An ancient food of the Aztecs, chia seeds were rumoured to be eaten as a battle fuel and to maintain stamina during long journeys. Now, it is loved by healthy food enthusiasts and commonly used in raw and health food recipes.
Chia seeds come in two colours: black and white. Both offer similar nutrition, providing a great plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and dietary fibre. Chia seeds are also similar to flax seeds but one distinct advantage of chia over flax is the abundance of antioxidants that help protect oxidation of its healthy fats, and thus also afford a longer shelf-life.
Chia seeds are a fun kitchen ingredient: crunchy when dry and mucilaginous when soaked. Chia seeds absorb about nine times its weight in water, and in this way acts as a helpful binding, thickening and hunger-quelling ingredient. To make a standard chia pudding, soak (by volume) one part chia seeds with six parts liquid of choice. You can also take advantage of the nutritional boost of sprouting and sprout chia seeds.
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