How to consume chia seeds

Hello everyone! Welcome to Paulina Cocina. Yesterday we bought a bag of chia seeds for breakfast, which is very timely because today we're going to talk about many ways to incorporate them into our diet and learn how to consume chia seeds once and for all.

A little bit of its interesting history and tips for incorporating it into our daily routines, as its consumption offers many benefits. Finally, as the cherry on top, we'll share a spectacular chia recipe. 

A brief introduction to Chia

The famous chia, its technical name is Salvia hispánica . It's a herb found annually, but it grows in summer. It thrives primarily in tropical or subtropical climates.

A daily serving of chia can be 10 to 20 grams and we can enjoy it as an additional ingredient cookies , juices, etc. or as a supplement.

✋? Of course, we can only consume it in small amounts. Don't overdo it.

The history of chia

Chia was a food that was part of the diet of pre-Hispanic American peoples, along with amaranth, beans, and corn. After the discovery of America, the area under cultivation for chia decreased significantly. Why did this happen?

And here's a very interesting fact about these seeds: for a long time, they were considered a "sacrilegious ," blasphemous, or profane seed. This happened because chia was used in religious ceremonies dedicated to the Aztec gods, as it was believed to grant them supernatural powers and be a symbol of life.

History tells us that Aztec warriors subsisted solely on chia during their battles and expeditions. Because of this, its cultivation was persecuted and nearly extinct. Fortunately, this didn't happen, and today we can use it in a variety of ways.

The uses of chia seeds

Various scientific studies have shown that daily consumption of chia provides us with a large amount of nutrients and interesting benefits.

This is why nutritionists gave it a new lease on life, and today it's considered one of the great "miracle seeds ." It's been incorporated in various forms and has become very popular in human nutrition , as well as in animal feed.

Did you know that in some parts of the world, chia is also used as medicine and in the production of paints and cosmetics?

Since it doesn't have a specific flavor, it can be mixed in many ways, whether sweet or savory. Chia has a wide variety of uses , resulting in a pleasant combination with many foods.

⚠️ The proteins in chia seeds , unlike those in wheat, oats, barley, and rye, do not contain gluten.

How to consume chia seeds with drinks

If you fancy a nutritional drink, one option is to add two or three tablespoons of chia per glass of your favorite beverage , such as water, juice, yogurt, etc.

Stir well and then let it sit for a while. The seed has a considerable absorption capacity, so after a while it sits, a gel will form. 

• Chia water: Add one tablespoon of chia seeds to half a cup of cold or warm water, stir for a few seconds, and let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes before consuming.

How to consume toasted chia seeds

We already know that chia can be added to our meals in a thousand different ways. This toasted chia is great, and there's no need to use oil. Simply place the seeds directly in a very hot pan. You can add salt if you like.

Then we try to make circular movements with the pan to distribute the heat and prevent them from burning. In a minute or less, they're ready. Be careful and pay attention because they burn very quickly.

• Chia in salads: Simply sprinkle toasted chia seeds over chopped fruits or vegetables.

• Chia Pudding: To prepare a delicious chia pudding with oats and berries, all you need is a container to hold yogurt or milk, and then store it in the refrigerator for the next day's use. Add a little honey and cinnamon to enhance its delicate flavor.

Finally, and as a little gift from this article about chia, I'm leaving you with a recipe for chia and apple muffins so you don't feel like making anything sweet today. 

See you!!

Yami

Chia Muffins: To get you started cooking!

Ingredients 

• 2 tbsp chia
• 4 tbsp. baking soda
• 3 cups of whole wheat flour
• 2 cups of applesauce
• 1 cup of honey
• 4 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 egg
• 1 clear

Chia Seed Muffins in 5 Steps

Preheat oven to 190°C.

1. In a bowl, mix the chia with the baking soda, flour, and a pinch of salt.
2. In another bowl, combine the applesauce, egg, egg white, honey, and lemon. Whisk until everything is incorporated.
3. With both preparations ready, combine them without mixing too much.
4. Arrange the muffin tins and spoon the batter into them.
5. Bake for 20 minutes and let cool for a while before serving.