chia

American  

[chee-uh] / ˈtʃi ə /

noun

1. a plant, Salvia columbariae, of the mint family, native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having mostly basal, oblong leaves and small blue flowers: the seeds are used as food and as the source of a beverage.

2. any of several similar related plants.

3. a beverage brewed from the seeds of any of these plants.

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Etymology

Origin of chia

1875–80; < Mexican Spanish chía < Nahuatl chiah, chian

Example Sentences

On one end of the recipe spectrum, you have chia seed water — straightforward yet packed with nutritional benefits and textures, namely from the soaked seeds that form a jelly-like consistency.

From Salon

The finished product is indulgent and addictive, flavoring the humble chia seed with freshly brewed Thai tea, maple syrup and vanilla extract, alongside a dollop of homemade coconut whipped cream.

From Salon

I’ve been on the hunt for similar chia seed-centric recipes that go beyond the basics, experimenting with flavors, preparations and presentations.

From Salon

Here are seven ways to spruce up your favorite chia seed recipes:

From Salon

To make, simply grind a few tablespoons of chia seeds and mix them with water to form a sort of “glue” that holds the crackers together.

From Salon