Organic and fair trade Chia seeds

Organic chia seeds
Fair harvest and processing in Bolivia
400 g or 200 g pouch

€6.50

Tax included

Organic Chia Seeds, Small Producers Network

🌱 From the Lamiaceae family, Chia belongs to the sage genus. This small oval seed originates from South America and the Southwestern United States. Chia is currently cultivated for commercial reasons in Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Its botanical name "Salvia hispanica" was given in the 18th century by the botanist Karl Linnaeus. An annual plant, Chia tolerates drought well and produces small purple flowers, spaced along erect stems over 50cm tall.

> The seeds are white or black, but their color has no impact on their nutritional qualities. The Aztecs and before them the Mayans, cultivated this seed which was one of their basic food sources along with wheat and corn. Chia actually means strength in Mayan!

🌱 Chia seeds are among the most nutritious and energetic superfoods in the world. Due to their outer layer rich in soluble fibers, chia seeds turn into gel when soaked in water. They then form a mucilage (viscous liquid) and once mixed with gastric liquid in the stomach, they create a barrier between sugars and digestive enzymes. Sugars are therefore absorbed more slowly. This explains why the Aztecs could walk a long day with Chia as their only food! (and this is why they are very interesting for athletes today…)

🌱 How to consume chia seeds?

The best way to consume them is to soak them beforehand in a liquid (water, plant-based milk, or juice) so they do not absorb the fluids from your body as the seeds can absorb up to 14 times their weight in water. Used in gel form, after soaking for 10 minutes, they are an excellent asset in cooking and baking! But they can also be consumed ground and incorporated into recipes or sprinkled on dishes…or consumed in the form of drinks, smoothies. In any case, the seeds having a completely neutral taste, it is very easy to use and consume them.

> To consume them in the form of chia pudding, you will find tips on our blog on how to make plant-based milk, as well as a recipe for Strawberry Chia Pudding!

🌱 Where do our chia seeds come from?

The chia seeds we offer in our store come from Bolivia and are sourced from the Copaibo forest area, declared a natural reserve since 2011. Our supplier Natural'Andes has developed an entire agroforestry sector there, and today the inhabitants benefit from a healthier and more sustainable life within the forest thanks to the cultivation of chia seeds.

> Find more information on this topic in this video:

🌱 Chia seeds are one of the richest plants in omega-3 fatty acids in the form of alpha-linolenic acid or ALA (15 to 17%) and omega-6 in the form of gamma-linolenic acid or GLA (5 to 8%). (In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of a diet rich in omega-3 on health improvement (reduction of hypertension, cognitive improvement, and especially beneficial effects on cardiovascular health…)

> So with 3 to 4 times more omega-3 than omega-6, they are perfect for establishing a favorable balance in our diet. Note that unlike fatty fish, they do not contain saturated fats and bad cholesterol! And unlike flax seeds, the presence of antioxidants in chia seeds allows them to be preserved for years without losing their virtues or experiencing alteration.

> They also contain 7 times more calcium than cow's milk and are a good source of phosphorus. Indeed, 20g of Chia covers more than 25% of the recommended daily intake of phosphorus, and combined with calcium, phosphorus is an important component of bones and greatly affects cellular functions.

> Gluten-free, they offer you a wide range of vitamins and minerals (For 100 g of chia: 500 mg of calcium, 535 mg of phosphorus, 290 mg of magnesium, 6.5 mg of iron, 3.5 mg of zinc & copper) and contain little sodium (less than 0.2 mg).

> They contain between 22 and 30% protein, including all essential amino acids.

> The tryptophan they contain helps increase levels of melatonin and serotonin, which promote good mood and restorative sleep.

> Chia is rich in fiber (30%), mostly soluble. These fibers are not digested by the body and pass intact through the digestive tract to the large intestine. They help lower cholesterol levels and slow the absorption of glucose into the blood by moderating insulin secretion. Chia also contains insoluble fibers, effective in cases of constipation as they speed up intestinal transit. Their strong satiating power makes them a good ally in weight loss.

🌱 To learn more, check out our blog article: Eight ideas to enjoy the benefits of chia seeds

NATURAL ANDES

LOGO natural andes

This project first arose from the meeting of Maxime Chiquet with the inhabitants of Bolivia, with whom he lived for over 5 years. During his travels, he met small producers who still work in an artisanal way and respect traditions. Their story touched him, particularly seeing that they are no longer valued in favor of industrializing productions.
Then from the meeting with Jhomaira Vera, his wife, with whom he decided to create Natural Andes with the aim of valuing Life, the Earth, and Humanity. Their commitment is based on preserving the values of Humanity respectful of its land, the Pachamama (Mother Earth). Authentic Bolivian culture respects the Earth, but industrialization threatens the nobility of sustainable ancestral practices, which preserve the future and economic security of producers.
Their raison d'être: authenticity. Their action: 100% organic endemic products sourced from a supply chain leaving a positive impact on their production land.

Beyond organic and fair trade, their commitment to producers is established at 3 levels:
- Sustainability of production activities.
- Economic security for the local population.
- More homogeneous wealth distribution.
The search for Authentic Terroir: it is about preserving Humanity and its Earth.

Natural Andes team

> You can find on the Natural Andes website an article about the logistics of their supply chain as well as the Calendar of their harvests in Bolivia.