Chia is a type of edible seed that comes from a flowering plant native to Mexico and Central America. These tiny oval seeds are usually gray or black with white speckles, about the size of a poppy seed. When you soak chia seeds in water or milk, something interesting happens: they absorb the liquid and develop a gel-like coating, swelling up to many times their original size.

The ancient Aztecs valued chia seeds as an important food source, eating them for energy and endurance. Today, people add chia seeds to smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, and baked goods. Some people make chia pudding by soaking the seeds in milk overnight, creating a tapioca-like texture.

Chia seeds have become popular because they're nutritious and versatile. They don't have much flavor on their own, so they take on the taste of whatever you mix them with. You might also know chia from those novelty planters called Chia Pets, where chia seeds sprout into green “fur” on ceramic animals.