Chia seeds used to be a niche ingredient you could only scout out at health food stores next to the flaxseed, hemp seeds, and spirulina.

But chances are you can now find chia at your local grocery store, in everything from granolas and cereals to yogurts and energy drinks.

Where Do Chia Seeds Come From?

Chia seeds come from salvia hispanica, a flowering mint plant native to parts of Mexico and Guatemala.

Chia seeds have only become a commercially popular health food in the last decade or so, but they're actually one of the oldest forms of nutrition and were a staple of diets.

Chia seeds have an extremely subtle flavor and are therefore prioritized for texture over taste.

Their most obvious characteristic is that they absorb a shocking amount of liquid up to 10 times their dry weight swelling into miniature tapioca like balls.
Dry chia seeds can also be added whole or ground to smoothies and juices, mixed into yogurt and oatmeal, or sprinkled on top of a salad.

If you're adding the seeds to a drink or a "wet" dish like porridge, they'll swell up slightly while you eat but retain a slight crunch.
You can easily make chia seed pudding, one of the most popular ways to eat the seeds.

Since chia doesn't have a ton of flavor on its own, feel free to add spices, chopped fruit, nuts, and any other toppings you'd like.

Organic Chia Seeds:

1. Chia is a superfood for the 21st Century;
2. Chia is one of the richest known plant sources of Omega 3 fatty acids in the world;
3. It provides more heart healthy, anti-inflammatory Omega 3 benefits than salmon, flaxseed, or any other food;
4. Chia has an advantage over flax seed since Chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid;
5. Chia is easily absorbed, non toxic, gluten free and non allergenic;
6. Research suggests that Chia seeds may help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer;
7. Chia has double the antioxidants found in blueberries;
8. They have 6 times the calcium of milk;
9. Mix some with orange or any fruit juice, the gel like seeds make a nutritious breakfast and can help control excess weight;

10. The vast Chia seed's benefits include increased energy levels, improved digestion, and better complexion;
11. Chia seeds can also help tone your muscles, boost your mental sharpness, and allow you to sleep better at night;
12. They do not contain any trace of cholesterol, which makes them perfect supplements for people looking for food items that are heart healthy;
13. Chia seeds do not need grinding and they do not rot like flax seeds;
14. One of the best things about organic Chia seeds is that they are suitable for men, women, and even children;
15. You can add them to your breakfast smoothies, muffins, scrambled eggs, salads, bread, the list goes on and on;
16. They are nearly tasteless and will not affect the consistency of your food;
17. In Mexico and Central America, they add Chia seeds to a glass of water with sugar, lemon or lime and they call it "Chia Fresca";
18. Chia has a slight nutlike flavor;
19. Chia seeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids;
20. One tablespoon of Chia seeds only contains about 50-70 calories;

Chia seeds have a long shelf life and will keep for several years when stored in a cool, dry place. Easy!