Chia seeds have hydrophilic properties, this is to say chia seeds have the ability to soak water. They also have a number of health benefits including the fact that promote good digestion and they keep the body hydrated. Chia seeds can be soaked using water, milk or even yoghurt depending on your preferences. The article below gives a guide on how you can soak chia seeds so that they also help to boost your immune system. It is important to carefully follow the guide so as to achieve satisfactory results. Also take note of the period that soaked chia seeds can last up to so that you don’t face the challenge of consuming expired food.
Contents
Soaking chia seeds in water
NB: when you soak chia seeds in water you will be making what is commonly referred to as chia gel.
Step 1
When making chia gel the first step is to figure out the ratio you would love to use, the thickness of the chia gel is usually based on preferences. You can start by using a ratio of 6:1 for water to chia seeds, but if you prefer a thinner consistency then you can use a ratio of 9:1. The advantage of using a thinner consistency is that it will be easier to drink. The next thing is to find a container that can be closed this is where you will make the gel from.
Step 2
Place warm water to the container, it is important to use warm water since it helps the gel to form faster. Add the chia seeds to the warm water, then give them a little stir until they are combined with the water. You can also shake the jar for 15 seconds until the chia seeds stand out. When the chia seeds have rested shake them again for another 15 seconds.
Step 3
When you have finished mixing the ingredients place them into the refrigerator. Leave them inside the refrigerator for the entire night. When placing the container in the refrigerator it is important to ensure that the container with chia gel is tightly closed so that it does not get contaminated.
Step 4
In the morning you can serve your chia gel, you can either add it to your smoothie or drink it like that it will really help improve your digestion. It can also be added in yoghurts, oats, drinks, puddings and even soups.
NB: chia gel lasts up to 5 days in the refrigerator so you need to eat it during that period.
Soak chia seeds in almond milk
NB: almond milk is gluten-free, so if you are gluten intolerant you can actually try out this recipe. Furthermore, if you want something that is creamier you can soak chia seeds in almond milk.
Step1
For this recipe you need to mix ¼ cup of chia seeds with one cup of almond milk in a container. Make sure that the container can be tightly closed so that when you shake the chia seeds and the almond milk will not spill out and create a mess.
Step 2
The next step is to mix the almond milk and chia seeds by shaking them for about 15 seconds or until you are really sure that they are well incorporated.
Step 3
When you have mixed the chia seeds and almond milk place them in the refrigerator and leave them overnight. In the morning you can serve it and top it up with berries, nuts, honey or anything you like, it can be referred to as an almond milk chia seed pudding. This almond milk chia pudding can be treated a light breakfast or you can actually serve it as a dessert in the evening.
NB: chia seeds soaked in almond milk last up to 3 to 5 days so ensure that you consume them within the stipulated time frame.
Soak chia seeds in yoghurt
NB: you can also soak chia seeds in yoghurt and attain a yoghurt chia seed pudding.
Step 1
The first step is to combine ½ a cup of yoghurt and ½ a cup milk in bowl then mix the two together until they have a smooth consistency. Add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to the bowl and mix them up with the yoghurt and milk. You can also add a sweetener like maple syrup if you want.
Step 2
When you are done mixing all the ingredients cover the bowl and place it inside the refrigerator and let it sit overnight. If you want to prevent the pudding from clumping up you can just give it a stir 30 minutes after you have placed it in the refrigerator or even after an hour however, it is not mandatory to do so.
Step 3
In the morning you can give the pudding a nice stir and add a tablespoon of yoghurt to it, top it off with raspberries and enjoy.
NB: chia seed pudding that is made using a mixture of yoghurt and milk can last up to 5 days so to avoid eating expired pudding you need to consume it before that time.
Conclusion
Chia seeds are very healthy and they can actually be soaked using either milk, water or yoghurt. Soaked chia seeds have so many health benefits including the fact that they improve digestion and keep the body hydrated. The article has noted a number of ways in which chia seeds can be soaked. In order to achieve satisfactory results it is important to clearly follow the steps. When chia seeds are soaked in water they form what is known as a chia gel. When soaked in almond milk they form what is known as a chia seed pudding and when they are soaked in milk and yoghurt they also form a chia seed pudding. It is very important to take note that chia seeds that are soaked usually last up to 5 days so it is important to consume them before they turn bad.