If your only exposure to chia seeds is spreading them onto a Chia Pet™, you’re not alone. The earliest export of chia seeds in the United States was for use in growing decorative houseplants, but these little seeds, originally from Central and South America, are also a rich source of nutrients, as a growing number of people in the U.S. are beginning to learn.

What Are Chia Seeds?

The little mottled seeds are from the Salvia hispanica plant, a flowering member of the mint family. The seeds themselves have long been a food staple in Mexico and along portions of the southwestern U.S. border.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

These little miracle seeds can be eaten raw, but are generally consumed by adding them to recipes, such as smoothies, puddings, oatmeal, or muffins. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health, supple joints, and good brain function, among other things. In addition, chia seeds are a good source of dietary fiber, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese. When you add water to chia seeds, they form a gel-like substance. It’s quite miraculous! In fact, this enables chia to be used as a gelatin or egg substitute in certain recipes.

Here are a few recipes to help you get to know this healthy little treat:

Chia Wheat Pancakes

Chia Pudding

Jaime McLeod is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.

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