Chia was first used by the Aztecs as early as 3500 B.C. and was a cash crop in the center of Mexico between 1500 and 900 B.C. It was used as food, mixed with other foods, drunk as a beverage, ground into flour, included in medicines, and pressed for oil.
When the Spanish conquerors landed the new land in 1500s, they repressed the natives, and suppressed their traditions and chia, as the result, was deliberately eliminated. Chia survived only in regional area in Mexico for the last 500 years.
It was until early 1990s, a group of American and south American scientists, nutritionists and agriculturalists began collaborating in commercial production of chia in Argentina. At present, chia is grown in Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Bolivia.
Salvia Hispanica (chia) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, with opposite leaves that are 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) long and 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) wide. Its flowers are purple or white and are produced in numerous clusters in a spike at the end of each stem. Chia seeds are generally small, flat and oval shaped. The seeds are 2.0 mm long.
Chia seeds are capable of producing an important amount of extractable oil, up to 60% of the oil produced by chia seeds is an Omega 3 fatty acid of the ALA (Alpha Linoleic Acid) type. As we now know, such fatty acids are quite good for optimal cardiovascular health, together with the other two main types of Omega 3, which are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
The market of pharmaceutical products, food supplements, and natural medicine has grown considerably in recent years. Chia is currently being used worldwide as nutritional supplements, in capsules or other formats, in several combinations to achieve different benefits.
We obtain our Chia Seed Oil in our own processing plant by cold pressing and filtering with no chemical solvents. This way the seed’s nutritional characteristics, low acidity and peroxide levels are perfectly preserved.
Our Premium Chia Seed Oil contains no ingredients derived from animals, therefore free from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and other TSE’s. It is not derived from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).
Chia seed oil is also an excellent source of antioxidants and phytosterols. Antioxidants are important, as they are known for their ability to scavenge free radicals and help to prevent heart disease, cancer, infection, and a number of other illnesses.
Our organic chia seed oil is certified in accordance with the Argentine organic norms Law 25.127 and its decrees, SAGyP 423/92, SENASA 1286/93, SAGPyA 270/00 y SAGPyA 451/01 and annexes, which are considered equivalent in accordance with the provisions of the European Regulation EC 834/2007, 889/08 and EN 45011 and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) SENASA-MAFF for Japan and under the US National Organic Program 7 CFR Part 205.
The advantages of organic production are:
- Protection of the environment
- No use of chemicals
- Safe from Dangerous Pesticides
- GMO-free
Chia Seed Powder is a multifunctional fiber extracted from the Chia seed that has a total dietary fiber content of up to 50%, as well as a 30% protein. It is a vegetal protein that is easily dispersible, high in quality, low in saturated fat and with no cholesterol.
Our Chia Seed Powder is the result of cold pressing chia seeds then finely milling them into a powder – this process is purported to enhance the nutritional benefits of the seeds. After microbiology testing for foreign bacteria’s and heavy metals the powder is ready to be packed and shipped.
Chia Seed Powder can be used in beverages, food supplements, bakery mixes and processes.