One time, while on vacation and stranded in a Whole Foods while my husband was in a meeting (I guess there are worse places to get stranded!) I bought a bottle of chia seed kombucha. In hindsight, I don’t know why I bought it since I didn’t really expect to like it and I don’t usually just spend $4 on a whim…
Thankfully, I did try it and liked it, but unfortunately, I wasn’t going to spend $4 to get one very often.
I’ve written about chia seeds before and the ways that we use them: to make homemade pudding, thicken soups and sauces, in recipes, on salads, and in smoothies.
According to Mountain Rose Herbs they contain “Essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid, mucin, strontium, 30% protein, vitamins A, B, E, and D, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, iron, iodine, copper, zinc, sodium, magnesium, manganese, niacin, thiamine, silicon, and anti-oxidants.”
Kombucha is also a favorite around our house (if you don’t know what it is or how to make it, here is the info). From a previous article:
Kombucha contains high levels of antioxidants, b-vitamins, probiotics, and glucaric acid. It has been reported to have a variety of health benefits including:
- liver detoxification
- improved pancreas function
- increased energy
- better digestion
- improved mood (helps with anxiety/depression)
- kills candida (yeast)
- helps nutrient assimilation
Combine chia seeds and kombucha and you have a health-boosting, energy giving super drink. I really enjoy the texture of the hydrated chia seeds, and this is a great on the go drink when I have a busy day.
How to Rehydrate Chia Seeds
This recipe works best with rehydrated chia seeds that have already somewhat gelled. To make this, combine:
- 1 part chia seeds
- 4 parts warm water
Stir well and leave in the refrigerator at least a few hours to rehydrate and gel. (A “part” can be whatever measure you want, a Tablespoon, ¼ cup, etc. I make this recipe with 1 part = ¼ cup, so ¼ cup chia seeds and 1 cup warm water.)
Where to Get Chia Seeds
I order chia seeds from Mountain Rose Herbs and Amazon since there isn’t a good local source where I am. Some health food stores carry chia seeds though.
How to Make Chia Seed Kombucha
Chia Seed Kombucha Energy Drink Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup water (warm)
- 1 cup kombucha (preferably with natural fruit/juice added and second ferment completed)
Instructions
- Combine the chia seeds with the warm water in a mason jar.
- Put a lid on the mason jar and place in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the chia seeds to hydrate and a gel to form.
- Put as much rehydrated chia seed gel as desired in a cup or bottle.
- Add 1 cup or more of kombucha and stir well to incorporate.
- Drink and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Are you a fan of chia seeds or kombucha? Ever tried them together? Share below!
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Katie,
I tried the combucha and I like it. I also tried with chia seeds, and it is wonderful.
I have one question:
Is it safe to drink if you have reflux or it makes it worse. I would not want to miss the benefits, but I do not want my reflux to be triggered.
Thanks
Erika
Some people find that the mild acid in kombucha tea can give them reflux… As I understand it though, people have different triggers. The only way to figure it out might just be trial and error.
Thank you very much. I did drink it in the morning without eating anything . I also drunk the fermented beet juice without eating. I stoped that, and I hope later I can enjoy both after lunch.
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it very much.
If you presoak the chia seeds will they float instead of sinking.
So excited to try this. Have been making kombucha for awhile and love it’s zippiness. Have tried chia in drinks but it settles to the bottom….now I know why. I’ll soak them first. Saw your interesting comment about adding fruit juice and a second fermentation. Looking forward to reading up and trying that. Thanks. Loving your site. Oh I’m trying to lose weight and will follow your guidelines. How does the sugar in kombucha effect us and my weightloss efforts? Thanks again.
Im researching making my first batch of Kombucha. Im hoping for a soda / dr pepper replacement type drink. Not that I drink those now but I used to. Just dont like wasting calories on them anymore. Chia seeds could be an intersting element to add to the mix.
Why not just put all ingredients in bottle and drink it few hours later (tea/cafe break)?
I don’t know the exact reason, (perhaps the acidity of kombucha does not allow the chia seeds to gel freely) but I can say that I have previously mixed chia seeds in with kombucha to gel overnight, and they clumped together – big time – even after trying to break them up the next morning. Each sip had either no chia seeds or a big chunk of ’em. I consumed it anyway so I wouldn’t waste 🙂 But it was not pleasant.
What are your thoughts about the phytic acid or other anti-nutrient components of chia seeds? I aways thought they would need to be either sprouted or soaked (in an acidic medium), like other seeds and nuts.
I haven’t tried chia seeds yet, and I haven’t started a kombucha yet, but this looks interesting! I am winding down my cultures as we are planning on moving soon, but after we move I can hopefully get some kombucha going!
How long will the refrigerated, re-hydrated chai seeds stay good? If I want to make enough for more than one serving, but only drink one serving per day, is that possible?
You can keep the chia seeds in the fridge for a long while, a few weeks typically.
Nice! I don’t drink Kombucha because of the caffeine (I’m incredibly sensitive to it) – but I get my chia in at breakfast. I mix 2 tablespoons dry chia, 2 tablespoons hemp seed, and 2 tablespoons raw buckwheat groats, into a cup of raw milk and put back in the fridge for 20-30 min to soften. Delicious. 😀
You can do Kombucha with all Rooibos tea or if you use other teas let the tea ball steep in a glass of boiling water for 60 seconds before you put it in your Kombucha container of boiling water. Most of the caffeine is released in the first 30-60 seconds.
Hi Katie, do you use whole or ground chia? I have a bag of organic, cold pressed ground chia in the freezer (they have it at the Mennonite variety store in Scottsville).
I use whole usually because I like the chewy texture, but ground works great and the nutrients are more available…
Thanks! Am off to soak some right now!
I was told that you had to grind chia seeds so they don’t just go right through you but I’ve just been taking them whole are they just as good for you