Chia - Crown Jewels
What little did I know?…
and when I entered the world of Chia.
I have just received a few seed packets from Baker Creek Heirlooms Seeds for my potager. I always want to know a little about the plant I’m going to grow, consequently I looked up my Chia - Crown Jewels and entered a new world, most fascinating. I landed in American history, health, ancient food and future ‘super’ food. Amazing, do you know... I’ve bought a miracle! Perhaps that is why they are called just Crown Jewels or it could be because the flower in its simplicity yet beauty look like a small crown with precious blue-purple stones in it.
Wikipedia Salvia columbariaeChia - Crown Jewels
(Salvia columbariae ) A different Salvia species with a long history, this heirloom Salvia was grown as a staple food crop by Native Americans years ago. It has a high nutrition value. In cultivation, it needs good drainage, sun and dry weather to grow to its fullest potential. Called Chia in Mexico and other Central American countries, it is also a special ornamental plant with decorative grey-green leaves and pretty colourful light purplish blue flowers.
Chia as Health Food
Chia seeds are now a popular natural health product. William Anderson writes about it
Chia seeds are now a popular natural health product. William Anderson writes about it
- The Ancient Food of the Future Chia Seed. Do read this most fascinating article.
“Another unique quality if the Chia seed is its high oil content, and the richest vegetables source for the essential omega-3 fatty acid. It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other grains. Read more ”
“Another unique quality if the Chia seed is its high oil content, and the richest vegetables source for the essential omega-3 fatty acid. It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other grains. Read more ”
This amazing picture is from EOL Encyclopedia of Life.
The beautiful seeds of Salvia columbariae.
Interesting? Want to try it out?
Here you can buy Chia seeds and a lot of other interesting food.
Anthropology – about Chia Salvia columbariae
NCBI* Writes about the Chia seeds, how it has been used as food and continues to be used as such, how you can still buy the seeds in stores. Read the interesting story about the Chumash messenger who ran 30 km or perhaps more in a day to deliver messages between the villages. Consuming Chia seeds to maintain the energy right through the run. Read more about the Chumash and Chia “ How the plant was used to ‘wake the dead’ is unknown. However, it may have been the root that was used. Probably the people who were treated with this plant had suffered from strokes or heart attacks and appeared to be nearly dead.” NCBI
Anthropology – about Chia Salvia columbariae
NCBI* Writes about the Chia seeds, how it has been used as food and continues to be used as such, how you can still buy the seeds in stores. Read the interesting story about the Chumash messenger who ran 30 km or perhaps more in a day to deliver messages between the villages. Consuming Chia seeds to maintain the energy right through the run. Read more about the Chumash and Chia “ How the plant was used to ‘wake the dead’ is unknown. However, it may have been the root that was used. Probably the people who were treated with this plant had suffered from strokes or heart attacks and appeared to be nearly dead.” NCBI
Books about Chia (Salvia columbariae)
Another book that awoke my curiosity as I browsed the net was this +300 pages book
Common Sage Salvia officinalis in my potager.
That's All Folks!
It is Blooming Friday at Katarinas place
I wish you all a great weekend/ Tyra
*NCBI - National Center for Biotechnology Information
I think I was able to find a lovely collection of colours and structures.
Brassica oleracea seedlings