Chia Fresca
Traditional Chia Fresca
Ingredients
1/2 cup lime juice
1 cup sugar
10 cups water
1 tablespoon whole chia seeds
several sprigs fresh mint for garnish
Method
Pour lime juice and sugar into the water and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add
the chia seeds to the above ingredients. Shake or stir vigorously to prevent the seeds clumping together. Shake or stir again a few minutes later. Shake again before serving.
Garnish with the mint sprigs. Serve in tall glasses over ice.
The above recipe is very sweet.. Below is another fresca recipe that is less sweet and very refreshing on a hot summer’s day.
Refreshing Chia Fresca
Ingredients
Half a cup of lemon or lime juice
half a cup of pomegratate juice
1 tablespoon chia seeds
9 cups of water
Method
Pour lemon juice and pomegratate juice into the water.
Add chia seeds and stir or shake vigorously until the seeds are evenly dispersed.
Shake or stir again tafter a few minutes to prevent the seeds clumping togethe.
Shake or stir again before serving.
Serve over ice
Cranberry Juice can be substituted for pomegranate juice
Here is a variation on chia fresca that is more suitable for cold weather
Recipe for chia fruity green tea
This recipe is a variation on chia fresca, which is mixture of lemon/lime juice, water and chia seeds. It is a refreshing drink in the summer months. In the cooler months I like to have chia fruity green teas as a refreshing and energising pick-me up.
Ingredients
2/3 Tablespoons of fruit juice. I like to use blueberry juice, orange juice or lemon juice, but any fruit juice or mixture of juices is fine.
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
1 teabag of good quality green tea
Method
In a mug, soak the chia seeds in the fruit juice for 10 minutes to allow the seeds to soften and swell.
Add the teabag to the mug and pour in boiling water. Stir thoroughly to disperse the seeds. Let stand for a few moments until it it the strength you like. Sip slowly, and occasionally stir the mixture as the seeds will have a tendency to settle on the bottom of the mug.
Can you just add chia seeds to your normal cup of coffee or tea, or glass of unsweetened iced tea?
Yes you can Linda, but the question is wuld you enjoy it? I am not fond of chia seeds in tea and even less so for coffee, I enjoy my coffee strong and without anything added. However, some people do have chia seeds in their normal tea or coffee and ejoy it. It’s a matter of trying to see which way you like it. For me, it’s great in iced tea or chia fresca rather than traditional tea or coffee.
How long will this drink last in the fridge? And, how many glasses do you recommend drinking daily?
I don’t like to keep food for long in the fridge Katie. Chia seeds keep for up to 2 weeks in water but when other fresh ingredients are added this shortens the life span of your dish. I recommend 1 to two days max to keep the drinks and drinking 2 glasses a day for good health.
How much seeds should I use to mix with a gallon of iced tea?
That’s a tricky one Leah. Assuming there are around 16 glasses (8oz) to a gallon, I would put at least 16 teaspoon of chia seeds in, possibly a little more if you want. The trick will be to avoid the seeds clumping together. To prevent this, I would add the seeds to 2 glasses of the iced tea first, in a container. Shake or stir until the seeds are evenly dispersed and allow to stand, stirring or shaking occasionally, for about ten minutes. Then add this into the main portion of the iced tea. Always stir before you pour as the seeds will tend to settle out on the bottom otherwise.
I just put cut up fruit, and veggies in a bldeenr and add water and put it on bldeenr setting- it blends to a slurry- add some sugar, honey or other sweetener or nothing at all- I sometimes add some frozen yogurt to sweeten it and I get plenty of energy and feel greatMy recipe1/2 c lettuce and any other veggie that is healthy and low or no calorie1/2 c fruit any that is healthy and low or now calorie1/2 c frozen yogurt1/2 c water2-3 tbsp sugar, honey or whateverand you do not have to peel any fruit you usually eat the peel on like pears, nectarines, apples etc . better for you that way too because you get more nutrients that way
Great recipe Rodrigo.
Do the seeds dissolve or do you eat the seeds that are put in the drinks?
No Debbie, the seeds don’t dissolve in the drinks, but they become soft and swell up. You just drink the seeds along with the drink. You need to keep stirring the mixture otherwise the seeds will settle out. Using a straw works well for me, but I like to use a teaspoon to stir the drink if its hot, eg a tea.
Hi,
Can chia seeds mix into the cranberry vinegar juice? Thanks you.
Chia seeds should mix into cranberry vinegar juice with no problems Ivy.