Chia vs. Chai: What’s the difference between them?
Chia vs. chai: Are they the same food? It’s so easy to mix these two words up. Although their names sound and look similar, chia and chai are very different. Chia seeds are tiny and nutritious, perfect for babies starting solids! Chai tea is a spiced Indian tea.
Chia seeds are one of my favorite nutrient-dense toppings for babies and I love a chai tea latte with cream and honey! In this post I’ll cover the characteristics of chia seeds and chai tea and recipes for each. I’ve also included a link to my favorite baby chia seed pudding recipe!
Chai: The Aromatic Indian Tea
Chai tea is a spicy Indian beverage known for its warm spice combo. Chai is traditionally prepared by combining black tea leaves, milk, and a blend of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, star anise, and black pepper.
Indian masala chai is the traditional, authentic chai tea where masala means “spice” and chai means “tea”. Check out this authentic Indian Masala Chia recipe.
Chai serves as a delightful morning ritual or a comforting afternoon pick-me-up. The black tea leaves used in chai contain a moderate amount of caffeine.
Depending on the variety of black tea you use there will be between 30-70mg of caffeine per cup. This is less caffeine than a cup of coffee but more than green tea. If I’m drinking tea in the afternoon or evening I like to use a decaffeinated tea.
To prepare a cup of chai tea, simmer tea leaves and spices in hot water to infuse the flavors. Then, add your choice of milk and sweetener or leave plain!
Chai Tea Recipes
- Chai Latte Chia Pudding: Mix chia seeds with brewed chai tea (either loose leave or a chai tea bag), any kind of milk, and a sweetener like maple syrup or honey. Allow the mixture to set in the refrigerator for a few hours (overnight works well), and wake up to a delicious breakfast!
- Chai Tea Smoothie: Blend brewed chai tea, frozen fruit, a handful of spinach, a tablespoon of chia seeds, milk of your choice, and either plain Greek yogurt or unflavored protein powder for a smoothie packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein.
- Chai Spice Energy Balls: Energy balls make the perfect snack. Make energy balls chai spiced by combining chia seeds, cashew butter, dates, and a sprinkle of chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom.
- Chai Tea Oatmeal: Cook your oats with brewed chai tea instead of water, and top them with chia seeds, nuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
If you’d like a simple, fast cup of chai you can buy chai tea bags and just add milk. I personally go for the simple version of store-bought chai tea bags (I’m living the busy mom life!), a splash of half and half, and occasionally honey to sweeten. For best results and flavor, use loose leaf black tea and the chai spice combo.
Chia: Nutritious Edible Seeds
Chia seeds are tiny but mighty! Originating from South America, chia seeds have been consumed for centuries and are loved for their nutritional benefits and versatility in the kitchen.
Chia seeds are nutritional powerhouses, packed with essential nutrients. They are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. These promote heart health and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Chia seeds are also high in dietary fiber. Fiber is necessary for good digestive health and contributes to healthy cholesterol levels and a feeling of fullness. This feeling of fullness helps prevent overeating which in turn helps with weight loss efforts.
These little seeds also offer plant-based protein, essential minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium, and even antioxidants. All these amazing nutrients are important for babies to consume in those first months of starting solids which is why I regularly offer chia seeds to my baby.
One of the coolest characteristic of chia seeds is their ability to absorb liquid, forming a gel-like consistency. This unique property is what allows them to make chia puddings. I love chia pudding because it’s super easy to make, adaptable, and so nutritious for babies!
Have you ever heard of chia pets? They’re basically little planters you buy in the shape of animals or other figurines that have chia seeds inside, then you add water and the chia seeds sprout! They were popular when I was a kid.
Can you give chia seeds to babies?
Yes! You can offer chia seeds to your baby by mixing them into yogurt, pudding and popsicles, sprinkling them on top of toast, or rolling slippery finger foods in chia seeds to add grip and nutrients.
To see how I easily added chia seeds to almost any food check out my baby’s first 12 week meal plan complete with a meal plan and grocery and product list!
Chia Pudding Recipe for Babies
Simple Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
I love chia seeds pudding because it makes a perfect healthy make-ahead breakfast full of healthy fat (so important for babies!). This chia seed pudding is super easy to make and allows you to modify to add toppings you and your baby enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 cup milk
- Sweetener (omit for babies), fruit, nuts (ground for babies), shredded coconut, extracts, spices
Instructions
- Pour chia seeds into a glass container or jar.
- Stir as you pour in milk. Let settle for 2-3 minutes and stir again.
- Cover and store in fridge overnight or for at least 2 hours.
- Top with fruit, nuts, or shredded coconuts and enjoy! Be sure to finely grind nuts and modify fruit if serving to babies.
Chia pudding can be enjoyed plain, but I love to pack even more nutritious foods into the chia pudding base like fruit, ground nuts for babies, vanilla extract or other extracts and spices for flavor. Allow your baby to eat the pudding with their hands or serve of a pre-loaded spoon. My baby and I love the Mango Coconut Chia Pudding recipe linked below.
- Mango Coconut Chia Pudding: My baby and I love this filling and delicious pudding. It’s perfect for baby-led weaning and babies love the naturally sweet mango and coconut cream.
Chia vs. Chai Health Benefits
Both chai tea and chia seeds have healthful properties. The potential health benefits of tea has been well studied in humans. Tea has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers, improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, and have anti-aging properties. The spices used in chai tea, like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves also provide various health benefits.
Chia seeds offer a whole other host of health benefits. Their high fiber content aids in digestion, promotes satiety (feeling of fullness), and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Chia seeds’ omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to brain health, which is particularly important in developing babies.
In conclusion, chai and chia may share the same letters, but they are quite different in terms of the nutrients and flavor they offer. Chia seeds make the perfect addition to many of your baby’s foods and chia pudding is a nutritious, quick snack or meal for you baby!
Looking for more recommended baby-led weaning supplies? I have it all laid out for you in this baby-led weaning supply guide. Follow our baby-led weaning journey on instagram @mydietitian.friend!
