chia

1 :  an annual herb (Salvia hispanica) of the mint family that is native to Mexico and Guatemala, has spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers, and is grown for its grayish, edible, mucilaginous seeds which are eaten whole or used especially to make a beverage or oil … to develop, test and grow new cultivars of chia that are able to produce seed in the cooler climate of the Upper South and Midwest, with the potential to increase production of this crop with a traceable domestic supply. — Susan Smith-Durisek; also :  any of several related salvias (especially Salvia columbariae) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico

2 or chia seed :  the seed of a chia When mixed with water, the fiber in chia forms a gel that lowers cholesterol and keeps blood sugar stable. — Jane E. Brody Chia seeds are tiny and have a very mild taste, making them easy to add to all kinds of foods to boost nutrition. — Megan Murphy