Super-Food Chia May Be Next Super-Ingredient In Baking Industry

The gel produced by chia seeds when placed in water could be used in food formulation as a thickening agent, emulsifying agent, and as a stabilizer in frozen food product, a new Australian study has found. Chia, an ancient crop cultivated by the Aztecs in Mexico, is high in fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Chia gel is a polysaccharide consisting of crude fiber (58 percent) and carbohydrate (34 percent). with good water binding and oil-holding capacity, viscosity, emulsion activity and freeze-thaw ability comparable to guar gum and gelatin, common ingredients in baked goods and sauces.