Chia seeds come from a plant in the mint family. Native to Mexico and Guatemala, chia was an important food for the Aztecs and Mayas and has recently become one of the most popular foods due to its multiple health benefits.
Chia is considered an ancient grain: it has undergone only minimal changes through selective breeding over the course of millennia and is therefore essentially the same grain that was consumed by our distant ancestors.
Farinart selects chia seeds only from the most qualified sources, harvested with care to guarantee exceptional purity and optimal nutritional benefits. We source mainly from South America.
Our chia seeds are offered in light and dark varieties, either whole or milled as flour. Our chia is available as conventional or organic and is non-GMO.
Chia is ideal for gluten-free, egg-free or vegan baked goods, as it is a grain that is an excellent binding and thickening agent. Some recipes use it as an egg substitute, while others use it as a replacement for the main flour. Ground chia seeds work well in cakes, brownies and less textured pastries. However, chia flour tends to produce a darker product with a more pronounced aroma, which is why a maximum replacement level of 10% is recommended.
The high nutritional value of chia seeds makes them a very interesting food from a nutritional point of view. Rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and with significant amounts of complete protein. Chia seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fibers. These are responsible for the glutinous texture of moistened chia seeds.
Chia seeds are gluten-free and low in FODMAPs (Fermentable by colonic bacteria Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols).
