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!!
This was so good. I used Zico coconut water , fresh lime juice and maple syrup like you suggested. I’ve been saving and washing out my GT glass kombucha bottles and this recipe fits perfectly in them. I make a few ahead of time and store them in my fridge for quick grab and go access. Do you know the refrigerated shelf life? I even see these at Whole Foods now in their refrigerated section so I’m sure they will be good for a bit. I want to make some for family members for Christmas. Thanks again for this delicious, healthy and easy to make recipe.
I’ve been drinking this after my workout… the first time I had trouble with the texture, but now I look forward to gym days so I can have a chia fresca… my question, however, is should I be drinking this before the gym instead of after?
Thank you for the inspiration (nice pictures).
I have found my favourite drink:
Make a green tea with some fresh ginger in it. before it is cold, mix it with Chia seeds. Add some water and one tea spoon of Xylitol for the sweet taste (and some benefits :-) ) until my bottle is full.
This sweetener is not cheap, but seems healthy, and prevents me from adding any additional sugar in my diet. Of course you can replace it with honey (mix while water is hot), maple syrup, agave syrup, etc..
Leave it in the fridge for the next day.
Drink cold after a workout, delicious ..
I had this in downtown LA at one of the fruit/juice carts. I got mine mixed with half fresh pineapple juice and half chia seed water…. to die for!
Anybody know???
If you grind chia seeds up to put in, say, an iced coffee drink, will the chia powder still soak up fluid from your digestive track and cause constipation?
Amazing drink!
I am researching your awesome recipes for the Wild Rose detox diet. Is it ok to have maple syrup on this cleanse?
Grade B maple syrup is best with the lemon juice, cayenne pepper cleanse
This is fantastic. I just started running, I’ve been trying to eat low-carb but because I don’t like to eat a lot of mean or dairy it’s been really trying on my energy. Things like this will help give me energy for my afternoon runs. Thank you!!!
My chia seeds are clumpy after vigorously shaking. Hm… not sure what I did wrong. Help:)
Drinking this for the first time right now! Very refreshing! Thank you very much! :)
I’m happy you like it, Kara!
My 14 year old son is determined to lose weight and has started keeping this in the fridge. He says to put extra lime juice in it and it is delicious.
Added 1 T of bee pollen. Keeps the top frothy which keeps chia seeds at the top.
I’m going to try this one before my next workout. I usually put chia seeds in my salads, but never had a drink with them. Can’t wait to try it :D
How far in advance can I prep it? Like could I make it the night before then take it with me to the gym in the am?
I’ve heard from a few readers, now, that they’ve found prepping it the night before they plan to drink it works great. :) If you give it a go, I hope you enjoy, Alana!
I drink chia with rasberry or blackberry juice. So yummy. I can actually chew the swelled chia’s. So good. I am also trying to loose weight so I will try chia with lemon and a little agave or honey. Can’t wait for the goodness to begin.
I want know how many time to drink chia water week?
Before breakfast or no breakfast lunch time or no lunch time etc?
Thank you
When is the best time to consume this before a running event?
Hi Leo, I’m sorry but I’m not sure!
Thank you thank you thank you!!! This is my new fave drink! Sweetened it with honey! Delicious!!!
Whohoo!! So happy to hear that Lindsay :)
How long can you store the chia seeds? I have some in the refg. About a year should I throw them out and buy some more? Just trying to change my diet to more healthy things
Hey Betty, I think chia seeds tend to last a long time when chilled. I think the expiry date on my bags is usually a year or longer. I hope this helps!
I tried it and is very refreshing. Easier to drink through a straw?