Chia Seed Products
The Chia plant occupies the lofty position of being one of the world’s most prized food crops and is highly recommended by us here at Indigo Herbs. Our Organic Chia Seeds are wonderfully rich, nutty seeds that are abundant in protein, fibre, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. We are also delighted to offer Organic Chia Seed Protein Powder - a nutritious vegan protein powder that is extremely popular with athletes.
This ancient food crop was famously consumed by the Aztecs, Mayans and some tribes of Native American Indians for about 4,000 years. These venerable civilisations cultivated the seed for flour, to be pressed into oil, eaten whole and incorporated into tonics and medicines. The Aztecs cherished this plant so much that it was planted as a part of the Emperors floating garden which consisted of only the most treasured plants of the Empire. The plants of the floating garden could be used as currency and were the only plants deemed worthy enough to be offered in rituals. The Tarahumura Indians of Northern Mexico still use Organic Chia Seeds today and the plant predominates as part of their folklore. These tribesmen would leave their villages on hunting trips for days on end with only a pouch full of Organic Chia Seeds to sustain them. Providing a slow release of of energy and the high protein content supressing their hunger, the Tarahumura hunters wouldn’t need to search the wilderness for other food sources while hunting game.
The Chia plant, a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, loves to thrive in sandy soils and grows to about a meter in height in a Christmas tree shape. At the end of the branches the plant produces long spears of blue flowers that turn into oval calyx that hold around 4 seeds. The Chia plant is a very fast annual crop that can produce seed within the first year of being planted. Across Central America the plant still grows wild under an altitude of 2,500 meters.
