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.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
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 also like to make it with tea instead of water or coconut water. And it tastes wonderful!
Girl you crack me up so much. Love this post, I’m drinking my chia bugs right now…. so many in my teeth. I think I’ll just wait for my boss to walk in and give her a giant grin : O
You cookbook, and blog, have changed my life. Currently recovering from an eating disorder, and have been vegan/grain-free/dairy-free for 4 months. The change has been remarkable. Your recipes make me feel good, they make me happy, and they satisfy my salt and vinegar and chocolate cravings….. which come every 6 hours! If I’m this hormonal now, what will pregnancy be like… eek!
I always get a good giggle in reading your posts, and then remember not to take myself too seriously. It feels so good to be able to enjoy food and sweets again, not only NOT feeling guilty, but knowing I’m bringing variety and nourishment to my body!
Thanks for everything, enjoy your new little snuggle bud : ) she looks perfect and precious
Excuse me while I go eat another batch of those almond butter cups
J
Thanks for your sweet comment Joanna! I appreciate your kind words so much. All the best to you and your recovery! xo
I try to stay away from seeds because of diverticulosis. Anyone know if chia seeds are safe enough?
My hubs and my friend avoid chia for this reason. They feel it’s risky, but YMMV. Maybe ask your doc? Maybe a dietician can advise on whether ground seeds have same benefits?
Just started on chia seeds yesterday. I’m mixing them with almound milk bananas and blueberries for a smoothie its pretty good.
Can’t wait to try this. I make my own blend of multigrain flour and include a healthy portion of chia seed so I have it in my bread and muffins as well as pudding, oatmeal, and applesauce. Yum! :)
Substitute Hibiscus tea for the water. Great taste. Cinnamon can be added. Love drinking
Love this recipe! I do lemon juice, chia seeds, raw apple cider vinegar, and stevia. :))
I love to make something very similar to this… The only difference is I add fresh pineapple juice instead of lemon/lime juice and then I omit the maple syrup. Delish!
Thank you of introducing this to me! This drink is what got me through my long days prepping for and writing my exam.
I make/drink homemade Chia seed drinks regularly. To avoid having to mix the seeds and them sinking, warm a cup of water then add the seeds and mix, put it in the refrigerator for the next day you will see the seeds have hydrated and have that wonderful gel surrounding them and will remain suspended in your drink. Add whatever other type of juice or coconut water you like to it. I use 1 cup of warm water to 3 Tbsp. of seeds this is good for 2 servings. So in the AM I’ll use 1/2 for my drink and 1/2 for my husbands and add whatever other liquid we’re in the mood for in a large sports bottle. Enjoy!!!
I’d like to add that fiber is a serious draw to chia seeds too! 2 Tbsp. contains 12 grams of carbs, 11 of which are fiber! Seriously, blend those seeds into anything you want for added fiber… yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, etc.
I am in love with this drink. I’m going to make some for my son to take with his lunch. He will love it too.
Made this with mint leaves, lime and agave syrup. Love it! Only trouble is I had to fish out the mint leaves before drinking ;)
Instead of sweetener, I add a single drop of a lively essential oil. My usual is grapefruit because it has great benefits including appetite suppressant so you should feel full even longer!
Without the citrus juice, the essential oil can be overwhelming but it’s a great pairing.
Hi Angela,
I’m new to your blog and stumbled upon your blog because so many of your recipes are on pinterest. I’m doing a 2 week vegan challenge. I have to ask the bottle on your chia fresca recipe. Where did you get that bottle? It looks like such a cool glass jar/water bottle.
Love Chia is so good , tasteless , and cheap 3 bucks one pound ^^
Hi, here’s how I love to have chia seeds. Brew fresh mint and in hot water and let cool, sometimes I use green tea too. In a jug I add lemon juice, organic apple cider vinegar, manuka honey and chia seeds to the tea. I have this as a warm drink first thing in the morning, and the rest I keep in the fridge to have as a cool drink during the day. :)
This sounds awesome. Thank you I will try. Plus I have tons of fresh mint still in my garden. Thanks again
Hey I just started drinking this!! I just have one questions how many cups can I have a day?
Hey Great post…and comments….I use chia seeds in water bottles…..leave water bottles upside down at first/overnight so they don’t all gather by bottle cap……i add Blueberries and that Mio flavoring……will try syrup……..also you can just eat a handful……
what else is there to add besides Berries/Syrup
This was awesome, especially with my fave coconut water- Zico. I even have my 77 year old father drinking it so it’s definitively delicious. Thanks so much! Definitely a keeper recipe.