Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family that grows abundantly in southern Mexico. They don’t have a minty taste, in fact they don`t taste of much at all.
- Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds.
- Chia contains calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, niacin, and zinc.
- Chia absorbs water. Mix one part chia seeds with nine parts water, and leave it for 15-30 minutes, you`ll get a mixture with a gel like consistency. It has little taste. It also is very filling because of the amount of expansion.
- Chia gel slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the system, so you stay satisfied for longer, without peaks in blood sugar.
- Chia has a nutlike flavor. As with ground flax seeds, you can sprinkle ground or whole chia seeds on cereal, in salads, yogurt, protein shakes or smoothies, or grind them and mix them with flour when making muffins or other baked goods.