chia

noun \ ˈchē-ə \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of chia

plural 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

Recent Examples of chia from the Web

Into a bowl, throw one cup each of gluten-free pancake mix and gluten free flour, one egg, one and a half cups of coconut or almond milk, one large scoop of vanilla protein powder, and a few spoonfuls of chia seeds.

— carly graf, Outside Online, "The Best Homemade Snacks According to the Pros," 11 May 2018
Stir up overnight oats or chia pudding straight inside of it, and those healthy breakfast options will get infused with all the leftover peanut buttery goodness.

— audrey bruno, SELF, "13 Delicious Recipes You Can Make in an Almost-Empty Peanut Butter Jar," 4 May 2018
The quick and easy, yet delicious, coconut chia pudding was a hit as dessert.

— nicole sours larson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Gourmet food on a budget," 23 Apr. 2018
Spoon 1/4 cup chia pudding, then 1/4 cup chopped fruit, then 1/4 cup yogurt and finally 1/4 cup green smoothie into another Mason jar or a travel mug.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Dark walls getting you down? Here are tips for painting over them with a lighter shade | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 2 Mar. 2018
Sprinkle with bee pollen, chia seeds and coconut shreds.

— madison roberts, PEOPLE.com, "Kourtney Kardashian Shares 'Exactly' What She Eats 'on a Regular Basis' with Her New Meal Plan," 30 Apr. 2018
Buy chia seeds from the bulk section for the best price, or order online.

— nicole sours larson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Gourmet food on a budget," 23 Apr. 2018
Chia seeds Berman says chia seeds can add a little zest and crunch when added to a salad.

— NBC News, "How to boost the nutrition (and flavor) in your sad desk salad," 12 Apr. 2018
Most mornings, however, the family goes across the hall to raid the pantry at Beacon for chia pudding or porridge with fruit.

— leilani marie labong, San Francisco Chronicle, "A chef and a designer feather their North Beach nest," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.