Can chia seeds be ground? - And the best way to do it

Chia seeds have been a staple in the life of any vegan for many years. It is the quintessential superfood, as it has many different functions in the kitchen, as well as tons of health benefits.

Recently, a new trend has emerged among nutrition enthusiasts to blend their seeds and products to release even more nutrients than they do in their whole state.

Can chia seeds be ground? We highly recommend grinding the chia seeds with a spice grinder or even a coffee grinder. When chia seeds are freshly ground, they release more nutrients and omega-3s. Ground chia seeds are easy to consume and can be incorporated into a wide variety of recipes.

If you want to know more, keep reading because we will talk about the benefits of using ground chia seeds and compare different products for grinding them.

Why grind chia seeds?

Just like we grind spices to release their flavor, we grind seeds to release their nutrients. Although many people claim that when it comes to chia seeds it is not necessary to do so, some studies say otherwise.

This means that if you want to consume chia seeds for their omega-3 benefits, it’s best to grind them to get as much as possible.

How to use ground chia seeds

Another reason to grind chia seeds is to make flour out of them. You can use chia seed flour as a substitute for regular flour.

You can bake delicious items like cakes, muffins, or bread with your homemade chia seed flour.

Chia seeds, as you know, thicken by absorbing moisture, so in the form of flour or powder, they will be perfect natural thickeners for soups and sauces, and since they have a finer texture than whole ones, they will thicken much faster. .

A glitch many people run into when making recipes with whole chia seeds is that the seeds make them feel bloated.

This is because the seeds have not completely absorbed all the moisture before being eaten. They then absorb moisture in the stomach, leaving you feeling bloated and full.

To avoid this uncomfortable sensation, if you use ground chia seeds you will completely absorb the liquid much faster and more effectively in a shorter period of time. This will also significantly shorten the preparation time.

Some dishes you can try making with ground chia seeds are 1-minute chia seed pudding, chia seed chocolate chip cookies, chia seed pancakes, or instant chia seed eggs.

There are thousands of recipes that you can try and now you know all the added benefits of using them in their ground form.

3 Ways to Grind Chia Seeds - wikiHow

As you can see, grinding chia seeds has many benefits, even though they can be eaten whole.

It is important to mention that when grinding these seeds, they must be raw. If you have soaked them or have absorbed too much moisture, they will be sticky and almost impossible to grind.

Let’s look at some ways to grind chia seeds so you can choose the best method for your home.

1. The mortar

It may seem like an old-fashioned and labor-intensive method, but chia seeds aren’t as hard or large as other spices, so it’s much easier to grind them into a powder.

The texture is much better controlled and the exact amount can be ground.

We love to prepare the ingredients in a traditional way, such as grinding the spices by hand, as we feel much more satisfied with the process and the final product.

2. Spice grinder [or coffee grinder]

A spice grinder (sometimes also a coffee bean grinder) is a very specific machine used to grind spices. It has small sharp serrated blades that mince all spices or tiny seeds.

The machine is easy to use and can easily crush a lot of seeds in a short time.

It also has two different blade attachments so you can choose the one that works best for each specific ingredient. It is very affordable for a quality spice grinder and has a sleek modern look.

3. Blender

A blender is a great way to mix a large number of ingredients. It is a large jug containing sharp blades that rotate rapidly.

However, blenders are not an effective tool for blending spices or seeds into fine powders.

The shape of the blender prevents the blades from reaching a tiny amount of seeds and is more practical for blending ingredients.

The best method to grind chia seeds

In our opinion, the best way to control the exact amount of seeds you need, as well as the exact texture you need it to have, is to use a mortar and pestle.

You can grind as little as half a teaspoon, an amount that no other product can grind. Since the process is a bit slower, you can also easily see how finely you’ve ground the seeds, giving you better control over the texture.

If you want to grind the seeds into chunks, you can work them for a much shorter period than if you want to have flour or fine powder.

They are also easy to clean and although they are heavy, they come in various styles and colors to suit your home and be a decorative piece.

We are definitely not saying that the other products don’t work; This is just our preference, but feel free to try as many methods as you like to find the one that works best for you.

Related questions

Do I have to grind chia seeds?

No, it is not necessary.  Unlike other ingredients, you don’t have to grind chia seeds to release their nutrients or thickening agents. You can use them as is.

Are there other health benefits to grinding chia seeds?

Chia seeds are very rich in tons of vitamins and minerals . We might think that these nutrients are also more efficiently released when ground up, as are omega 3 levels.

Can you buy chia seed flour at the store?

You can find chia seed flour at a drugstore or health food store. Make sure it’s the consistency you’re looking for, as some brands are much thicker in texture than others.

Keep in mind that flour can be much more expensive than making it at home.

If you have a grinder or blender and want to make a bulk batch, spend an extra 5 minutes and do it yourself - you’ll save a lot of money.