Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are versatile and very easy to use, but some common issues arise when incorporating them into a meal. Many people often wonder how to use chia seeds and in what quantities. Chia seeds are incredibly absorbent and soak up 10-12 times their weight in liquid, forming a gel-like substance. Because of this, it's crucial to hydrate chia seeds before consuming - ideally, let them soak in the liquid (such as milk or water) for at least 20 minutes or overnight. In general, you should use about one tablespoon of chia seeds per cup of liquid. When it comes to using chia seeds as an egg substitute, a common mistake is using too many chia seeds, which can make your baked goods heavy and dense. Generally, for each egg in a recipe, you can substitute one tablespoon of chia seeds plus three tablespoons of water. Let the mixture sit for 15-20 minutes to become gel-like before using. But hidden within the simplicity of using chia seeds, there are some tricks to get the most of out these little nutrition powerhouses. These include grinding them into a meal for smoother textures, adding them to boiling water to make chia tea, and sprouting them to use on sandwiches and salads just like alfalfa or bean sprouts. As a final note, when buying chia seeds, always look for organic and non-GMO labels to ensure you're getting the highest quality product with no pesticide residues or genetically modified organisms.