Chia Seeds

Brand

Matakana Superfoods

Size

250 gram

Common Uses

Benefits of Chia seeds

Chia seeds contains one of the highest known sources of the essential fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6.

Chia seeds are like having a meal all in 1 seed.  They contain protein, carbohydrate, fibre and fat (healthy essential fats) all in the 1 little seed.  Ancient Mayan folklore said that just 1 mouthful of Chia seeds could sustain a warrior for twenty four hours. We would not recommend living on Chia seeds alone and only make this statement to make a point.

When mixed with water, Chia seeds swell and form mucilage, a slippery substance which has a soothing and lubricating effect when ingested. This can be helpful for digestion and helping with the transit time of waste matter through the bowel.

Chia seeds have a long "shelf life" due to their antioxidant content.  In fact, Chia seeds have a shelf life of up to 36 months, if kept at room temperature and dry.

There are many more reported health benefits of chia seeds, these are just some of them.

Suggested Dosage

Directions for using Chia seeds

The recommended dosage of Chia seeds is 1-2 tablespoons per day.

Chia is a gluten free wholefood that can be sprinkled over kids lunches, salads, smoothies, soup or incorporated into pastries, muffins, breads and cakes. It can also be mixed with water to form a nourishing gel that can be added to smoothies, juices, soups and sauces. 

A teaspoon in hot water makes a great Chia seed tea. Chia has a pleasant mild nutty taste so you can boost your favourite foods with natural goodness without altering their flavour. 

Health Information

Interesting information about Chia Seeds

Weight for weight, Chia Seeds contain:

10 times more Omega 3 than salmon, 4 times more antioxidants than blueberry, 3 times more iron than spinach, 20% high quality protein, high levels of the natural anti-inflammatory omega 6, an assortment of naturally occuring vitamins and minerals, 5 times more calcium than milk, 15 times more magnesium than broccoli and 18 amino acids.  Wow, what a profile.

Chia seeds have a slow burn glycemic index

Chia Gel may replace eggs and oils in cakes

A gel made from chia may replace as much as 25% of the oil or eggs in cakes, without affecting taste, says a new study that points to more nutritious products. In addition to being acceptable to the taste buds of consumers, the chia gel containing cakes had almost 60 mg more omega 3 fatty acids per 100 grams, according to findings published in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association.  This sounds great for those who have intolerances to eggs and oil.

Fonterra have used Chia seeds

The seeds are rich in protein, fibre and amino acids and also omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.  The seeds have been proposed for use in bread, while in Chile they have also been used in Pasta and in Australia and New Zealand in a yoghurt product made by Fonterra.

So much promise for Chia seeds in cooking

Chia seeds have been used in the US in nutritional supplements, bars, breakfast cereals and cookies. A new study looked at the use of chia gel, obtained by soaking chia seeds in water, as fat replacers in cakes.

Rafael Borneo says "When we use Chia Seeds, They'll Never notice the difference".

"For a fat replacer to be successful it should improve or at least preserve the functional characteristics and sensory feelings of the food in which is will be used", explained the researchers.  "In this case, the fat replacer should maintain the functional characteristics of the product (ie cake weight, cake volume and symmetry) and preserve the taste, texture and colour of the cake as compared to the traditional formula (control)

Led by Rafael Borneo from the Centre of Excellence in Products and Processes Cordoba at the Argentine ministry of Science and Technology, the researches prepared cakes with oil or eggs replaced at levels of 0,25,50 and 75%.

The results obtained using Chai seeds

The data showed that the best results were obtained at a chia gel substitution level of 25%, based on a comparison with the colour, taste, texture and overall acceptability of control cakes.

Furthermore, the overall weight of the cakes were unaffected by addition of chia gel, said the researchers.

Chia can replace as much as 25% of the oil or egg in cakes

"This study demonstrates that chia gel can replace as much as 25% of the oil or eggs in cakes, while yielding a more nutritious product with acceptable sensory characteristics," wrote Borneo and his co-workers.

Source Journal of the American Dietetic Association, June 2010, Volume 110, issue 6, Pages 946-949.

Ingredients

100% Mexican grown Chia seeds.  Packed in New Zealand for Matakana Superfoods.  Seeds and nuts may be used to packed using the same equipment.  Gluten free. GMO free. No known allergies.

Safety Information

Keep out of the reach of children.