chia
n. C / Un. a small, dark seed from a plant in the mint family that is very healthy to eat. You often soak them in liquid to make a thick pudding or add them to smoothies.
n. the edible seeds of Salvia hispanica, a flowering plant in the mint family native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Frequently used in culinary contexts for their high fiber and omega-3 fatty acid content.
I like to add chia seeds to my morning yogurt.
The café serves a popular chia pudding topped with fresh mango and coconut milk.
Due to their hydrophilic properties, chia seeds can absorb up to twelve times their weight in liquid, creating a mucilaginous gel often used as a vegan egg substitute in baking.
Borrowed from Spanish chía, from Classical Nahuatl chiyan (“seed of the chia plant”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 11, 2026