Chia seeds come from a desert plant known as salvia hispanica. It’s a member of the mint family. The seeds originated from Central America, where the seeds were staple in the Ancient Aztec diet. These seeds are oval and grey with black and white sports they also have a diameter of 2mm. They are among the healthiest foods.
The seeds contain a lot of nutrients that have a lot of health benefits in the body. The etymology of the word chia is from an ancient Mayan word for strength. They are grain seeds that contain a lot of fiber, protein, fat, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, and other various micronutrients. This makes it the world’s best source of several important nutrients.
What You Will Learn In This Post:
How to grow chia plants and produce chia seeds?
They are produced from flowering chia plants. Chia plants are easily grown, from the seeds. The plant can sprout quickly within two days. The seeds do well in the garden than in a garden bed. Select a well-drained place to plant the chia seeds.
The seeds are planted direct but you can use a seedling bed. When the chia sprouts after they are a few inches tall, allow the spacing to be 12-18 inches. This ensures that the chia seeds grow in all directions.
Keep the soil moist during the growing phase although they can handle a dry condition because they are a desert plant. The chia seeds begin flowering from 12 weeks. Once the flowers are pollinated the seeds begin to form
Chia plant growing condition.
- Chia plants are grown an annual in a USDA zones of about 8-12, which is found in most of the southeastern united states.
- They grow in cooler regions, but shorter season means that the seeds will be few.
- Frost will stop the growing of the flowers.
Harvesting chia seeds
They are harvested from slightly dried flower heads. The pretty purple flowers of the chia flower stalk start to dry then they lose their petals. Its advisable to harvest at these time so don’t wait until the flower browns as this will compromise the harvest.
Store your stalks in a piece of paper or a cotton bag so that they can dry. The time they take to dry depends on the climate. Once they are dried they can be crushed and separated, store the seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place.
The seeds are used the same way the packed seeds are used or you can save and sow them in the next season. If you don’t sow the seeds they will self-sow themselves in the next season.
How to consume chia seeds?
Ground or whole chia seeds can be added in juice, added into yogurt and it can also be sprinkled into salad. The most appropriate dose of chia seed is 1.5 teaspoon, twice per day.
Video: Prepare Chia Seeds Properly to Lose Weight
The seeds are easily prepared and can be added to porridge or smoothies. Chia seeds can either be eaten raw or cooked but the seeds should be added to another food or soaked before eating.