Chia seeds are a wonderful, healthy ingredient that are delicious when used in a variety of recipes! When soaked in water, they form a gel-like substance. Do you need to refrigerate this gel, or simply leave it out on the counter?
Soaked chia seeds need to be covered and put into the refrigerator to prevent spoiling and keep them fresh.
Try sticking them in a Tupperware container to keep them good for as long as possible to use in all kinds of tasty snacks.
What are chia seeds?
Chia seeds are small, edible seeds. They come from the plant Salvia hispanica. This plant is a member of the mint family and grows in Central and South Mexico. They are small grey seeds, and they contain many health benefits. As well as providing nutritional value through things like protein and fiber, some of the benefits of chia seeds are
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Antioxidants
They are a great, option for many foods and are very versatile while offering many health benefits.
Why soak them?
By soaking chia seeds in water, you’re making sure you get all the benefits possible from the seeds. You can eat them raw and dry but eating them this way won’t provide you with all the nutrients they have to offer.
Chia seeds are also very absorbent. This means that eating them without soaking them can cause them to absorb and stick to the surface of your mouth which is wet. This can be very annoying and uncomfortable as they stick in your teeth.
How do you use soaked chia seeds?
Since chia seeds provide great health benefits like fiber and protein, they are a great ingredient to use in many different ways.
You can use chia seeds in things like
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Juice
- Pudding
- Bread
- Salad
- Oatmeal
- And many others!
Do you need to refrigerate them once soaked?
Soaked chia seeds should be refrigerated to keep them fresh and to keep them from spoiling.
If they are covered and in the fridge soaked chia seeds should last about 5-7 days before spoiling.
How do you know if your soaked chia seeds have gone bad?
If you’ve soaked your chia seeds and aren’t sure if they’re still good, check their appearance. If they look curdled, don’t eat them.
If your chia seeds have expired, they will most likely have an unpleasant and sour smell and taste.
How do you store them once they’ve been soaked?
It’s important to store your chia seeds correctly once you’ve soaked them to keep them from spoiling. Cover your soaked chia seeds or seal them in a container and place them in the fridge to keep them fresh.
Try using a Tupperware container to seal and cover your soaked chia seeds. A mason jar is another great option to keep them fresh as well.
You can also try freezing your soaked chia seeds to keep them for even longer.
Conclusion
Soaked chia seeds are a great, nutritious ingredient that can be used in so many delicious ways. By using them in a smoothie or yogurt for breakfast, you’ll be getting a variety of health benefits early in the day.
Make sure to refrigerate your chia seeds once you’ve soaked them in water. You don’t want them to go bad before you can try out all the tasty recipes!
If you can’t use them right away, you can always stick them into the freezer to keep them for later.
