Searching for the Elusive Chia

Remember Chia pets? Those terracota animal figurines that you plant chia seeds in, and the sprouts look like green fur? Well, it turns out that you can eat another version of the chia seed, and it is extremely healthy, full of Omega 3s, calcium and magnesium. For a description of its benefits, you can look here. One of my friends has become vegan, and reported that she had chia pudding. Chia seeds come in various shades of white and black/grey, with black indicating the wild version, and white chia seeds occurring naturally and being cultivated to increase the percentage of white seeds. There is a designer white seed sold under the brand name "Salba." Virtually the same nutritionally, but if you're into style and not substance, you might be inclined to spend the big bucks and spring for designer Salba!

These seeds don't have much taste, and they have an interesting gel type form when they meet water. They're used as egg substitutes in vegan cooking, for thickening, and in baking, among many uses. If you eat a seed, it becomes gel like--pretty cool.

Apparently, you only need about 360g (0.8lb) for a month's supply. The other touted characteristic of chia is that it has a long shelf life, so it is safe to buy in bulk. You should grind it yourself instead of buying it ground, if you want it in that form. The white seeds seem to be more expensive than the black seeds--more of an aesthetic than nutritional concern.

As always, it was easy to find cheap sources of chia seeds in the U.S. online. The lowest price I found for chia seed was at Natural Remi-Teas, for $5/lb ($25 for 5 lbs). Shipping is $37.50 for 10 lbs, so total cost is $8.75/lb. The white seed is also available at the site for $5.50/lb. Swanson Vitamins, a company I have purchased from before with great success, sells their house brand "premium" (!) white chia seed for $10/lb. Shipping to Canada amounts to $25 for 10 lbs, so total cost is $12.50/lb.

As for Canada, Cureself sells Natural Traditions white chia seed for $12/lb (free shipping over $100), and Aviva sells a 3 lb bag of black for $35 ($11.67/lb), free shipping for over $100. Superseeds sells the black chia, $67 for 5lb, shipping included, for $13.40/lb. Upaya Naturals sells 10lb (2x5lb) of black for $10.92/lb ($17 shipping included).

Salba from SourceSalba sells 360g for $20, which works to $25/lb. You can buy Salba in local health food stores like Choices Market in Vancouver for around $24 for the 360g package. Currently, Whole Foods does not carry chia seed in B.C. Bulk Barns in eastern Canada sells Salba in bulk. Costco carries Webber Naturals brand which sold in the past for $14/lb. Donald’s Market (2279 Commercial Drive and 2342 East Hastings Street) also carries chia for $9-10 for 330g, or about $13.74/lb

There is a recipe for chia seed pudding here, a possible breakfast food! Here's one for Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding. Bon appetit!

(Where to buy chia seeds in Canada)