Chia History

Chia seeds were first used as food as early as 3500 BC and were one of the main dietary components of the Aztecs and the Mayans. Chia seeds were eaten as a grain, drunk as a beverage when mixed with water, ground into flour, included in medicines, pressed for oil and used as a base for face and body paints.

The Spanish conquests of America destroyed much of the intensive agricultural production systems that were in place however small pockets of producing regions remained in Central and South America.

In the 1990s a research initiative was launched between a North American non profit organisation and a group of South American farmers with the goal of increasing and diversifying commercial production in the region. Chia was selected as part of the cropping program and growing trials proved successful. In the years that followed small scale, commercial production of Chia began.

Australian Grown Chia

The Chia Company first learned of Chia in 2000 following an American television documentary on grains that formed part of diets of ancient civilisations. The following year whilst in America on an international research expedition, one of The Chia Company Directors, John Foss, took the opportunity to further investigate Chia. John was intrigued by the anecdotal evidence that a diet containing Chia had a positive impact on diabetes, cholesterol and obesity and the fact that Chia contained Omega 3 and a host of other nutritional benefits. After discussions with Australian food manufacturers, John imported Chia for them to use as a food ingredient.

Their response was overwhelmingly positive; however Chia was only available by import in small quantities and of varying quality. A consistent highly quality supply had to be available before Chia could be accepted in the Australian food industry. Growing trials proved exceptionally successful and The Chia Company began large scale production in Australia.

To buy Chia Seeds CLICK HERE