A strong awareness of one's health and well-being has grown among individuals over time. Superfoods are being included in diets by an increasing number of individuals. With the popularity of superfoods surging these days, chia and sabja (basil) seeds are two of the most popular. Most people, however, can't tell the difference between Chia and Sabja seeds due to their striking resemblance, which appears to be the origin of most misunderstandings. That being said, in case you were ever confused between the two, here is all the information you want about both.
Chia seeds have no Indian name because they are native to Mexico. But it often gets confused with basil seeds, which are called sabja in Hindi. Chia seeds are different from sabja in several ways, including appearance, place of origin, and more. The similarity between sabja and chia seeds can be attributed to their familial membership in the mint family.
How Are Chia And Sabja Seeds Different To Each Other?
Sabja seeds and chia seeds come from different places. Many people believe that both are native to India, yet this is not the case. Northern Guatemala and southern Mexico are the native homes of chia seeds. Conversely, sabja seeds are indigenous to the Mediterranean area and India.
Chia seeds include white, black, grey, and sometimes even brown seeds. However, even the black ones are not entirely black in hue. But there's a dull design or a mosaic on them. On the other hand, all Sabja seeds have the same black colour.
Sabja seeds immediately swell up after soaking in water, in contrast to chia seeds, which take some time to absorb water. Chia seeds often sink to the bottom of the glass by producing a gel-like substance, and they have the ability to absorb ten times their weight.
Conversely, sabja seeds expand when combined with water, encasing the seeds in a transparent layer. Chia seeds are easy to include in any dish and don't have a very strong taste, while desserts and beverages may have a hint of the mild basil taste of sabja seeds.
How To Use Them?
The main benefit of both seeds is their ability to make you feel full quickly, which makes you want to avoid eating during the day. Since both are taken in combination with water, they both help your body stay hydrated. That being said, be careful to incorporate them into a well-balanced diet to fully benefit from them.
Both chia and sabja seeds are nutritious when soaked in water. To improve the flavour of shakes and smoothies, chia seeds are often incorporated. Lemonade, summer beverages, and salads can benefit from the addition of sabja seeds, which impart a subtle basil flavour to the dishes. Sabja seeds must always be eaten after soaking, although chia seeds can be eaten either soaked or raw.
