Looking for a light, healthy, and not too sweet snack?  Try making this tea-infused chia seed pudding!  Not only is it very low in fat and calories, but it’s loaded with nutrients and very filling as well.

What exactly are chia seeds?

Chia seeds come from the Salvia hispanica botanical.  It’s a species of flowering plant in the mint, or Lamiaceae, family, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. They are the same seeds that sprout inside those classic, cute ch-ch-chia pets that first hit the US markets 30 years ago.  It was only a few years back, however, that chia seeds gained popularity in America as a food with rich nutritional properties.  These resilient seeds are truly a superfood – loaded with fiber, omega fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants, and even protein.

Despite our new awareness of chia as a food, it’s has a rich history among the ancient Mayans and Aztecs.  In fact, it’s believed that chia was first consumed by the Mayan’s ancestors for energy and survival as early as 3500BC.  The word chia actually means “strength” in Mayan.

Tea-Infused Chia Pudding Recipe

We encourage you to be creative with this recipe! You can add coconut milk or top with fresh fruits.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of loose leaf Coconut White Tea
• 2 cups of Water heated to 195˚F (for the tea)
• 1 cup Water, at room temperature (for diluting the tea)
• 1 cup Chia Seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon Organic Vanilla Extract
• Honey, Maple Syrup, or Agave to taste
• Pinch of Sea Salt
• Optional: 2-3 tablespoons Coconut Milk
• Optional: Dried Fruit such as soaked Goji Berries or Raisins

Brewing Coconut White Tea:

1. Put the coconut white tea leaves in a tea bag or basket.  Steep 2 cups of tea in a liquid measuring cup or large ball jar, using water that’s 195˚F (boiling water will be too hot and burn the leaves).  You want a nice strong brew.
2. After 5 minutes, add the cup of room temperature water.

Chia Pudding Recipe: 1. Assemble the ingredients: chia seeds, vanilla, sea salt, agave or honey or maple syrup, and coconut white tea. 2. Pour the cup of chia seeds into a large bowl. 3. Add about 1/3 of the diluted tea. Use a fork to stir thoroughly. 4. Add another 1/3 of the liquid and mix well. 5. Add the remaining tea and stir once more. 6. Let sit for at least one hour or overnight.  It’s amazing how the chia will absorb all of the liquid! 7. Stir in your sweetener of choice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt.  Feel free to sprinkle some dried fruit on top, such as goji berries.  To make the dried fruit more tender, soak it in for a couple hours or overnight in water beforehand.  You might also choose to stir in a little coconut milk. 8. Enjoy!

Recipe by Wei Bertram

Photos by Sophie Slater