History of chia

Chia, (salvia hispanica L.) has a rich history as an ancient food of the Mayan, Aztec and Southwest Native American people. Not only used as a staple food in their diet - along with corn, beans and amaranth - it was also offered to their gods. Chia was so valued that it was used in ceremonies and also as currency to pay taxes.

Roasted and ground, chia was used as a flour called pinole. Native people have used chia seeds for wounds, colds and sore throats, upset stomaches, body odors, prostate problems, and even constipation. To some it became known as the ”Indian Running Food” - not because of the high fibre content, but because it is a high-energy endurance food that was used by the Aztecs on long journeys.

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Americas they dramatically changed all aspects of the native peoples' lives and culture, including outlawing their religious practices. As part of their quest to "civilise" the natives and convert them to Christianity, important crops such as chia and aramanth were banned. Secretly, however, many continued to grow and use chia.

Growing wild, chia was harvested and used as before until around the 1960s - 1980s, when health conscious people started hearing about a "super food" from the desert used by the Mexicans and the Indians. Vegetarians were attracted to the seed, in part by its high protein content. Word slowly spread, and new chia farms were established as demand grew.

Chia is now used throughout Mexico and grown by locals of every village. Mixed with water, lemon or lime and a little honey, the seeds make a refreshing drink called "chia fresca" used to quench thirst under the hot Central American sun.

Now chia is grown throughout Central and South America where it has been grown for thousands of years. The amazing properties of this seed are no longer a secret - you can benefit too! Add chia to your diet today and feel the difference.