Rainforest Foods Organic Raw Chia Seeds 300g

Chia, the seed of South American herb Salvia hispanica, has been hailed as a highly valuable food for many centuries. It is believed to have been one of the staples of the Aztec diet, and today remains a core part of local cuisine in its native growing areas of southern Mexico and Guatemala.

The signature offering of Chia seed is large quantities of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, in a ratio believed by science to be dietarily optimum. There are many modern foods that contain Omega oils, but many of these give them in a ratio skewed in favour of Omega-6.

Chia also provides useful proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Chia contains Vitamins A, B1,2,3,6 and 8, plus E. In addition, it features Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous and Zinc. The mineral content of Chia should not be ignored. It contains Magnesium, Calcium and Phosphorous. It also provides the essential elements Zinc, Iron, Copper and Potassium. Rainforest Foods Chia is grown on small farms in central Mexico, where it is sown in fields in June. Harvesting occurs in November, after a long growing season in which its high nutritional content can form. The harvested seed is quickly cleaned, purified and packaged at a cooperative plant within the growing region. Chia (Salvia hispania L) is a herb that flourishes in South America. Its seed has been part of local diets for centuries. Indeed, Chia is believed to have been a staple food of the Aztecs, who regarded it as an aid to mental acuity, physical endurance and wellbeing. It remains in common use in southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seed provides abundant Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, in an optimum ratio. It also provides protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Chia’s profile of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is presented in what we now know to be an ideal ratio. There are many modern foods that contain Omega oils, but many of these give them in a ratio skewed in favour of Omega-6. Chia’s vitamin content is significant, too. It contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 , Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E. Chia’s mineral provision includes Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc.

9% of Chia’s volume is high-quality protein. Chia is a versatile food, neutral in flavour. It can be added to a variety of cooked or raw dishes and helps dieters feel full, as it takes on water once ingested

Rainforest Foods raw Chia is grown on farms in South America. The growing season is five months long, during which time the full nutritional value of the seeds can develop. Chia is harvested by machine, and the seeds cleaned carefully to remove any stalk material. They are then packed for transport.

Certification Rainforest Foods Chia seed is certified by the Soil Association, one of a handful of organic certification bodies in the UK. These are regulated in their turn by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). The role of the Soil Association is to ensure that all foods sold as organic are definably so. It does this by auditing every stage of the supply chain, through growth, export and processing. Soil Association certification – indicated by the Soil Association logo and the EU organic leaf symbol on our packaging – is a guarantee that our customers are purchasing an organic product. All organically-certified products must also carry a certification code on their packaging. For UK companies such as Rainforest Foods this has the format GB-ORG-XX, XX indicating the certifying body. If this is not present, a product is not organic.