Can i put chia seeds in coffee?

If you’re the type of person who loves trying out new trendy food hacks or mixing up your coffee routine, then you might be wondering if it is possible to add chia seeds to your coffee. Well, the short answer is yes! But before we get ahead of ourselves and start dumping handfuls of these tiny black seeds into our morning brew (Don’t do that!), let’s explore this topic further.

What are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are small round black or white edible seeds that come from a flowering plant native to Mexico and Guatemala called Salvia hispanica. They have been consumed for centuries by several indigenous groups in America for their nutritional benefits.

In recent years, chia seed’s popularity has skyrocketed as they have gained recognition as a “superfood” due to their nutrient-dense composition which includes fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and several minerals like calcium and iron. In fact, 1 ounce (28 grams) of chia seeds contains approximately [1.] :

  • Fiber: 11 grams
  • Protein: 4 grams
  • Fat: 9 grams
  • Calcium: 18% DV (Daily Value)
  • Iron: 30% DV

Sounds pretty impressive right? Now you may be thinking ‘if chia has all these nutrients why wouldn’t I just put them in everything!’ Hold on there buckaroo (exceptionally mature) , not so fast…

Benefits vs Risks

While undoubtedly nutritious alone or added to other dishes (Think smoothie bowls), there are some things you need to consider before adding them directly into your beverage.

High Fiber Content

One reason many people incorporate chia into their diet is because they help promote bowel regularity thanks to substantial amounts of fiber; however too much at once (the same can be said about certain brews of coffee, we’ll get to that later) can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort such as cramping, bloating and gas.

Possible Hydration Issues

Chia seeds are hydrophilic which means, when exposed to water or another liquid like coffee (Here’s the kicker), they can absorb up to 12 TIMES their weight in water causing them to swell into a gel-like substance. While this texture may be appealing in certain dishes it could cause an issue with hydration if consumed frequently and without proper fluid intake (This is your reminder to drink more water!).

Potential Choking Hazard

While very rare chia seed allergies have been reported (The seed comes from the same family as mint, oregano and thyme) , what’s even rarer but still worth mentioning is the possibility they could pose a choking hazard- especially when combined with a thick or viscous liquid.

Can You Put Chia Seeds in Coffee?

With those potential issues out of the way let’s dive right into answering the question heavy on everyone’s mind – does coffee mix well with these super seeds?

Texture

If you don’t mind drinking your liquids chunky (and maybe crunchy?) Chances are you’ll enjoy adding chia seeds. But for some people having chunks floating around while sipping their beverage might prove unappetizing.

### Flavor
For better or for worse that mild earthy taste chia possesses will undoubtedly add complexity and nuttiness flavours; however depending on how much you use it could totally override any notes present in your brew effectively rendering all other added flavours pointless.

##How Should You Add Them?
Alright so say “Rick”,(you weren’t expecting that name were you?), has sold us on trying out this new addition, How do we go about doing it?! There are several ways including:

###Soaking Overnight / Prepping Ahead.
If you’re someone who likes to prep their meals and/or beverages the night before; soaking a few tablespoons of chia seeds in coffee or water overnight for an easy breakfast on-the-go could be just what you need.

Blending with Nut Milk

Another approach is blending organic nut milk alternatives (we’re looking at you, almond) with some tasty vanilla bean paste and chia; making a sweet twist that won’t turn your taste buds away.

Cold Brew Mix-Ins

If cold brews more of your thing,mixing crushed raspberries,chia seeds,and honey are another way not only to get added nutrition but fun little texture bursts in each sip as well!

Regardless of which method you choose to try out just remember moderation is key!

The Bottom Line

Adding chia seeds into your coffee isn’t detrimental by any means ; however there’s no magical answer either (except when it comes down curious cats asking questions) whether is the right move for ultimate health benefits varies from person-to-person due to individual functioning systems.

Just like many things we put within our bodies every formulation has pros and cons-and ultimately comes down between personal preference/comfortability..So go ahead garnish yourself a shot glass worth if ya want-or stick with those classic vibes-no judgement here!

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