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!!
thanks for a great idea for a drink !!
that’s my new “go-to” drink in the last few days. i make mine with some lemon and whole, frozen raspberries.
BTW- cheers on your blog from an Israeli follower. i have been reading your blog for two years now and have used so many recipes and ideas in my everyday cooking.
What a great drink–thanks for sharing! For a variation, instead of water, I tried both Fresca (don’t have to add any sweetner) and sparkling water–both turned out great. I also made a chia seed “concentrate” where I added the 1.5 TBSP of seeds to only one cup of water, stored it in a jar, then added the seed mixture to sparkling water.
Yay I’m so glad you posted this! I love the chia seed kombucha drinks by Synergy and always wondered how you get the seeds to not turn into a pudding! Plus this is wayyy cheaper than buying it pre-made! Thank you!!
Hi Angela!
Can I ask you where you buy your chia seeds? I’ve been tring to get them in bulk but just don’t know where to get them and where the best deals are.
Thanks
Love your blog!!!!!!!!!
I love the tip about adding maple syrup as a sweetner. I’d never thought of that but now really want to try it. I’m just curious if you’ve ever had any luck baking with Chia? I’ve rad you can used seeds that have been soaked to replace about half the recipe’s fats but every every time I’ve tried it’s been a total failure. Maybe it’s just not meant to be.
I’ve had some baking flops with chia too – the problem is that they tend to absorb a lot of water and can make baked goods very dense in large quantities. I think the key is starting with a small amount or ust sprinkling them on top. Also, I try not to bake them at high temps – usually nothing over 350F
I hate pulpy orange juice but i LOVE this! I don’t usually have texture issues (with the exception of that o.j. pulp!) so i thought I’d give this a try and it was great :) Actually, i was sort of playing around with the little jelly seeds in my mouth!
…now, if I can just get my husband to try this…(instead of the gas-station energy drinks he buys)
Love your website – my son and I tried the drink – it isn’t that bad and I felt pretty good afterwards – thanks!
I tried this yesterday and was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. Made me full and kept hunger at bay for a few hours. Will use this more often.
These look awesome! I love that they can stick in my teeth so that I can crunch on them for hours! As they can absorb a lot of water, can they also work as an appetite suppressant? This is very enticing.
I love chia seeds, too. However, be sure to note that they can lower blood pressure & are good for moving your meal along (sometimes too good). If you have low blood pressure, as I do, be sure to start out slow. My body can only tolerate about 1/2 of a teaspoon of seeds before I feel ill-effects from it (ie. greatly reduced energy levels). Also, my husband can only take about the same or he is running to the powder room. They are great, but caution should be taken when first introducing these into your diet. Happy eating & drinking!
I love your website!!! I’m pregnant and on bedrest, so I was perusing the Internet as I do,and happened upon your website a week ago and have been steadily reading all of the posts from the beginning ever since. Talk about mad pregnancy cravings! Can’t wait until i can freely make it to the kitchen again.
Heads up though, I was searching for your crate and barrel water bottle on the Internet and found a recall. I don’t know if you care, or if it’s the correct product, but I thought I would let you know: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2010/Crate-and-Barrel-Recalls-Glass-Water-Bottles-Due-to-Laceration-Hazard/
Cheers!
Oh gosh, thanks or letting me know!
I’ve never seen anything like this before, and since I’m a Chia lover and love lemons too I would definitely try this today!!! I really like the idea. Thank you very much for sharing!
What a great idea! I was wondering if i makes this with ground chia seeds and put it in a metal water bottle, will the chia stick to the sides?
Hi Alison, I haven’t tried it with ground chia…I don’t think it would have the same consistency as the seeds.
This looks so refreshing! It is very intriguing, can not wait to try it :)
Where did you learn about this drink originally?
& how long can it last after being prepared before it becomes less than savory?
Gah so cool!
Tried it today love it my only question is can you have too much Chia seeds? I drank it all day and I have it my smoothie as well as in some homemade energy balls I found on Pinterest. Can too much have an effect??
Hi Nancy, I just did a quick search and found this: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1224-CHIA.aspx?activeIngredientId=1224&activeIngredientName=CHIA (click on the side effects tab) I suggest researching it if it’s a concern and of course everything in moderation. :)
Hi Angela,
I have recently started drinking chia seeds along with water and a little lemon juice and honey and I have to promise it does get to me, but then I patiently keep telling myself..Its good for ya…Its good for ya…Did you know that people in ancient India also used it as a kind of an ingredient in a dessert? I guess they cleverly realised that when combined with ice creams and sweets, one does not really mind the glutenous texture! They also have the tendency to hold on to the water content and gives you a full feeling. I am planning to make some kind of a “kheer” with it soon!
SHobha
How is it as a gym drink? Cause I like my water during a good workout. Does it’s still have the water quench, just gellier?
It’s really an anytime drink – but yes it’s like water but with tiny gel-y seeds in it. :)
And you don’t have to pay $4 a bottle for it!
I love that you posted this!!! I make my own versions just like yours and then some!! I use cold brewed tea, flavored extracts and a drop or two of stevia for different versions of mine!!! It’s becoming a staple for me!!! Kudos to you and all of the inspiration you send us!! :)
Thank you for this post! I love the Cherry Chia kombucha drink and have been wondering if I could make something close to it at home for a lot cheaper. I think I’ll try making this and adding a little lime and cherry juices to it. Also, I finally made coconut whipped cream last night after having the can of coconut milk in my fridge since October and now I am in love. Have had it mixed with some fresh berries for the past few nights . . . and the next few nights. Thanks for all of your recipes and information!