Excuse me, but I must ask you what you are drinking? I’ve never seen anything like it before!
Those are the kinds of questions a girl gets asked when she’s toting this drink to a spin class. You get stares, sideways looks, and nervous smiles. The people out there are curious and they need to know that you aren’t drinking little black bugs. They need to be able to sleep at night. For goodness sake, tell them what you are drinking so they can get back to their workout!
So I tell them with a big smile, Chia bugs. Then there’s an awkward pause and even more confusion.
Ok, ok, it’s actually a healthy beverage called Chia Fresca which has been a popular drink in Mexico and Central America for many years. I’m sure many of you have heard of it before or even made it yourself. It’s made up of water, chia seeds, lemon or lime juice, and sweetener.
When chia seeds are soaked in water a gelatinous coating forms around the seed very similar to a tomato seed. This makes it very easy to swallow so the seeds don’t get stuck in your throat. Chia Fresca probably isn’t for people with texture issues (cough, cough husband), but I’ll leave that up to your discretion. I recently brought it back into my life to get a boost of Omega-3 fatty acids in my diet. It’s so much more fun than drinking plain water! Plus, it’s a total conversation starter much like bringing a Green Monster into the work place. I know you’ve been there. Well, why not bring Chia Fresca and show them just how crazy you can really be?
Here’s a quick refresher on chia seeds:
- Chia seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seed
- Chia seeds do not need to be ground to be absorbed by the body and they can be stored for long periods of time without going rancid
- They help with hydration due to their ability to absorb up to 9-10 times their weight in water
- Chia seeds also contain fibre, protein, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc among many other nutrients
- Chia seeds like to get stuck in your teeth. You were warned.
Chia Fresca is said to boost energy levels too. I’m not really sure if it boosts my energy or not, but I sure feel happy and hydrated when I drink it. When I have some on hand, I like to pair it with coconut water for a natural potassium boost after a tough workout, but water is just fine too.
Edited to add: Some of you were asking me about the thickness of this drink so I thought I would add a few words on this. I wouldn’t say it has a smoothie-like texture, but it’s more like a water consistency just with a whole slew of gel-y seeds in it. Does that make any sense? You just have to try it for yourself. My guess is you will either love it or hate it.
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Chia Fresca
Yield
2 cups
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Ingredients
- 2 cups water or coconut water
- 1.5 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice, or to taste
- Sweetener, to taste (I like 1/2 tbsp maple syrup)
Directions
- Add chia and water into a jar or glass and stir very well to combine. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to swell up. I like to use a jar with a lid so I can shake it up really well and break up the clumps of chia.
- Add lime or lemon juice and sweetener to taste. Stir (or shake) well to combine and enjoy!
Tip:
Chia seeds will sink and collect at the bottom of the glass quickly. Give it a good stir as needed.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Wishing you a very happy (and hydrated) weekend!!
I’ve tried it many times, I really, REALLY want to like it, but I just can’t do it! The texture gets me everytime :)
I can just imagine the looks you get at the gym LOL but little do they know how much healthy goodness you are treating your body to!
Well you can’t blame a girl for trying ;) It’s definitely not for everyone! hah
I love your blog. I do not love the look of that drink. I don’t think I could do it! :)
I double dare you. hah…sorry couldn’t resist.
Suuuuch beautiful photos. Love!
I LOVE chia!! This is something I must try as soon as I return home from all of this traveling :)
I’ve been the girl with chia seeds stuck in her teeth far too many times, but I’m trying this nonetheless. :)
Have you heard/ read the book Born to Run? They describe the drink that ancient indians from Mexico used to make for their runners (great book. kind of evolution of distance running) that would revitalize them and keep them going for many more miles once they were exhausted. Years later people realized that they were basically feeding them this drink. I don’t remember the details, but it was essentially a chia seed drink that they relied on to run hundreds of miles. Also, good on you for being a Canadian vegan chef and discovering the secrets of the Tarahumara tribe :)
cool fun fact for the day
I’m afraid you are conflating some of the elements of the book, Near the beginning, the author was given a drink that he said gave him a boost of energy. The Tarahumara drank the same thing, but it was corn beer that fueled their distance runs. No matter, though, as this is a wonderful addition to my healthy drink choices, even if I didn’t sense the same boost of energy.
I just love, love, love this!!! It reminds me of a healthier version of boboa!!!!
I love chia seeds, but have never had them in just water before. I will have to try it!
Oh, the texture! I don’t think I could do it! I LOVE this idea but I am a texture issue person. Do you think soaking and then throwing them into the Vitamix to reduce the…bumpiness…might help? I’m chronically dehydrated due to a medication I have to take and I’m always looking for something to help! I do chias in my granola and oatmeal…love them and I have a ton!
Hey Ali, you could certainly try blending up the seeds! I’m not sure how gel-y this would make the drink, but it’s always worth a try. And of course, add them into smoothies too. I also know some people who literally take a spoonful of the seeds (dry) followed by a bunch of water (for those with texture issues)
You can use a coffee grinder to grind them up dry. It’s a method of using them as an egg replacement and works like a charm. I think in a large beverage they would be less “gooey” if that’s what you’re looking for too! :)
This is great! I have a whole jar of Salba that I need to use up, which is supposed to be similar to chia. Could I use that instead do you think?
I usually put it in smoothies and oatmeal. I will be trying this next. I am not a fan of lemon or lime,but I am going to try it!
I am so glad you posted this! A few months ago I saw someone drinking this and I have been wondering what it was ever since, it was driving me crazy! Now I finally know, and am kind of upset I never asked her, because this sounds amazing.
Hope you enjoy it Sarah!
Gorgeous photography!
I drink this every so often. Nice change of pace from regular ol water :) Though it never looked as good as your photos. My chias either clump at the top or at the bottom. lol.
This really caught my eye!
Thanks for sharing.
oh i have got to try this! i buy those mama chia drinks all the time and i LOVE them. But they are so sweet.
I’m sipping on this right now and its so good! Love lime anything so this is win win!
Great idea to make this drink at home, never even crossed my mind. I get the Mama Chia drinks at Wegmans and they are delicious. The description is perfect; water with gel-y seeds is exactly what it is!
The photos are gorgeous by the way :)
Love this!! I will be trying it for sure. Can you also tell me where you got your bottle from?
I think it’s from Crate and Barrel (on a sale rack), but not 100% sure.
This looks so intriguing!!! :) I love chia seeds so will definitely be drinking them soon !
My favorite way to have Chia seeds is to put a good tablespoon full in a large glass of unsweetened Almond Milk, stir, let sit in the fridge for 15 minutes, stir it again and enjoy. Voila!!
I love this! It’s my new evening snack. Thanks for sharing!