Chia seeds - more nutritional gold from the South American ancients

I’ve written about Amaranth, and Quinoa (keen-wah), and now here is Chia! Researching new nutritional gold led me to the Chiatah Co in Australia. Growing Chia in Australia and offering a high quality natural, unprocessed ‘superfood’, well, I couldn’t NOT get in touch with them.
So what is Chia and where does it come from? Read on….(courtesy of the Chiatah website www.thechiaco.com.au)


“Chiatah is high quality, naturally grown Australian Chia seed. Chiatah seeds are small, oval shaped black or white seeds and are one of nature's richest sources of plant based Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids. What makes essential fatty acids so important? Your body can't produce them but needs them to maintain optimum health. Not only are they jam packed with essential fatty acids but Chiatah seeds are also rich in a stack of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. They have virtually no sodium or sugar and absolutely no gluten. We describe Chiatah as a wholefood at it's packed with a full spectrum of goodness to benefit your body and mind.


Chia seeds were first used as food as early as 3500 BC and were one of the main dietary components of the Aztecs and the Mayans. Chia seeds were eaten as a grain, drunk as a beverage when mixed with water, ground into flour, included in medicines, pressed for oil and used as a base for face and body paints. The Spanish conquests of America destroyed much of the intensive agricultural production systems that were in place however small pockets of producing regions remained in Central and South America.


A consistent highly quality supply had to be available before Chia could be accepted in the Australian food industry. Growing trials proved exceptionally successful and The Chia Company began large scale production in Australia.”


And as you’ve probably guessed, yep, I put them into muffins so that the children get that all important whack of essential fatty acid input in their diet. They’re both not big on oily fish so it’s one way I can make sure their nutritional needs are being met with ease.


The website for Chiatah has a link for recipes so you can diversify and use chia in many different applications.


I am giving away two sample-paks of chia seeds, one white one black, for someone to try. Write to me at jthtc@yahoo.com.au, with the subject heading ‘Chia Gold’ to enter the draw.
All entries will be taken during February and the winner will be contacted during March, and announced in April’s MiniZine. Best of Luck!


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