As chia seeds have become more popular lately, they are also becoming easier to come by. You can likely find chia seeds in your local health food stores or our online store, along with our favorite chia seed resource guide!
Chia seeds are actually the size of a poppy seed and are typically found in either black or white or a mixture of the two and are sold whole and dry in bags. They actually have a fairly long shelf life, so you can take your time easing them into your diet! Chia seeds are often compared to flaxseeds, but one of the chia seeds benefits over flax seeds is that you can actually eat chia seeds whole.
They have a fairly neutral flavor, though it is a bit nutty, which makes chia a great addition to almost any dish: chia seed pudding, oatmeal, smoothies, and shakes are our favorites! You can even eat chia seeds with a spoon, although you may not love the flavor on its own. If you prefer not to eat chia seeds whole, you are in luck!
This is actually the most efficient way to take advantage of all the chia seeds benefits. By soaking, grinding, or sprouting the chia seeds before eating, you make all the healthy nutrients easier to digest and absorb into your body. Soak the chia seeds in a 10:1 ratio of water to chia seeds for half an hour or more, and they will form a gelatinous substance. The soaked chia seeds can be added to a smoothie or oatmeal with ease, or simply eaten as is.
The chial gel actually works as a nice egg substitute in vegan recipes as well! If you want to grind this edible seed, a coffee grinder or blender will turn your chia seeds into a coarse powder that you can use in recipes similarly to flour or baking powders. Make sure you research the different ways to use this powder in your recipes, as the substitutions will produce slightly unusual results if not done properly.
Adding ground chia seeds to a pancake or bread recipe can give you a nutty, healthy twist! Of course, you can unlock the hidden nutrients by sprinkling the ground powder over your oatmeal or smoothie as well, this will be a little bit more nutrient-rich than sprinkling the whole seeds!
Are your chia seeds sprouting? Sprouted chia seeds take a little more action, but have the added benefit of chlorophyll, which helps replenish red blood cells and oxygen in your blood. The best way to do this is to place your tiny seed on a dry dish inside a container with around -inch of water.
The seeds have to sit up in a dry container so they will not absorb the water (like soaked seeds). Wait for four to seven days, and you will have chia sprouts, perfect to add to a sandwich or salad!
