Trader Joe’s Chia Seeds

I spotted this in the new section last week at my local Trader Joe’s and quickly picked up a bag because it’s so unique and I thought Becky would love to try them. Looking at the packaging, it’s obviously being marketed (as much as Trader Joe’s does product marketing) towards women in the violet colored bag.

I picked up the bag and looked through the clear plastic on the front and looked at the seeds and the look very similar to sesame seeds in size and color. I read the back of the package and saw some ideas for using them. Becky puts flax seeds (from Trader Joe’s of course) on her greek plain yogurt every morning. BTW, did I ever tell you she is waaaay more of a health food nut than me!

Got the seeds home and opened the bag and just ate a whole spoonful off them straight. I was slightly surprised at the fruity/nuttiness of them. I found them way more flavorful than flax seeds. This is going to sound strange, but they had a flavor reminiscent of watermelons. Not the seeds but the flesh. They had a nice crunch as you would expect. I really liked the flavor by themselves.

Even though this is a central/south American food item, these are a “Product of Australia! Considering Chia is related to Mint (which we all know can grow just about anywhere) why not Australia!

I looked up on the web and there are a few ways to use these seeds. Sprinkle them on your yogurt or cereal in the morning. Bake them in breads and muffins, like sesame seeds. The Mexicans put them in fruit juice and then they swell up and become glutinous and they drink the concoction. Probably super healthy!

Becky will probably be eating these way more than me but I really like the idea of sprinkling them on all types of foods for a protein boost! I am going to rate these Trader Joe’s Chia seeds an 8 bells!