by Abby Morrison
May 10, 2022
About Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a popular superfood today. In addition to being extremely high in fiber, they are also good sources of daily minerals and certain B vitamins, such as thiamine and niacin. According to
Healthline they also contain high levels of protein, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. They're popular in both ground and whole varieties and can be enjoyed in anything from cereals and oatmeals to yogurts, smoothies, power bars and more.
One of the most interesting ways to eat them, however, is in chia pudding.
Chia seeds are extremely absorbent, able to absorb more than ten times their weight in fluids. On top of that, they produce a gel-like coating when exposed to liquids, an effect that, when applied en masse, results in a tapioca-like mixture, or chia pudding.
But, of course, if you're already going to be enjoying a superfood, why not combine it with a super drink?
Chia Seed Pudding
Enter the Tea Chia Pudding. For this two-part post, we've created four varieties of tea latte-inspired chia puddings. You'll find links to the full recipes, as well as tips and variations for you to try, below, but before you dive in, there are a couple of things you should know.
First, chia seeds are extremely high in fiber for their size. Fiber is necessary in the human diet and helps keep our digestive systems moving at a healthy pace. However, too much fiber--and especially too much too quickly, can have adverse effects, like cramping, gas, or discomfort. If you are not used to a high fiber diet, make sure to use smaller serving sizes and drink plenty of liquids. As with all major diet changes, if you're looking at using chia seeds regularly, you may want to check in with your doctor first.
Second, please note that the below ingredient ratios are purely suggestions. Chia pudding recipes vary a lot by preferred taste and texture, so it may take a few tries to find what you like. If you're not sure where to start, we suggest starting with fewer seeds, as you can always add more after the pudding is set. You will also want to make the latte stronger than you normally would as the chia seeds will soak up some of the flavors, but other than that, feel free to experiment!
Bonus tip: If you don't like the texture of whole chia seeds, you can buy chia seeds pre-ground or use a coffee or spice grinder (such as
gritTea grinder) to grind them at home. Just be careful when cleaning your grinder, as chia seeds will swell and stick when exposed to water.
London Fog Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
London Fogs are a popular tea latte that combines
Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, vanilla, and
honey. This version combines
Earl Grey Moonlight, which already includes cream and vanilla flavors.
This chia pudding takes those flavors and puts them into a healthy breakfast or snack. As with all chia puddings, the recipe should be adjusted to taste, though it is recommended to make your London Fog stronger than usual, as the seeds will absorb some of the flavors. Swap out the type of milk or sweetener or adjust the number of chia seeds as desired.
Makes two 4 oz. puddings.
Ingredients
2 tsp. of
Earl Grey Moonlight
1 cup milk of choice
Black tea honey
3-4 tbsp of chia seeds, whole or ground, to taste
Supplies
4 oz. mason jars or other container
Latte aerator (optional)
gritTea grinder or coffee/spice grinder (optional, to grind seeds)
Pot and spoon
Steps
Steep tea directly into the milk. Warm the milk until steaming, but do not boil or scald.
Strain tea out of milk mixture.
Add honey to taste.
Foam the tea (optional).
Pour the tea into mason jars.
Add chia seeds, mixing them in until covered.
Wait five to ten minutes, then stir to remove clumps.
Refrigerate overnight.
Enjoy as is, or add flavored yogurt, fruit, or oats.
Instructions
Steep 1 tsp. of
Earl Grey Moonlight directly into ½ cup of milk. Warm the milk until it's steaming, but don't boil or scald it.
Once the tea is steeped, strain out the tea leaves. Add in honey to taste. Remember that some of the flavor will be absorbed into the chia seeds, so make it stronger than your usual preference.
Optionally, you can foam your milk using a latte aerator to make sure the honey is well incorporated.
Once you are satisfied with the taste, pour the tea into your container of choice and stir in 11/2-2 tbsp. of whole or ground chia seeds, to preferred texture.
Wait five to ten minutes, then stir the pudding to break up clumps.
Refrigerate overnight.
Layer the finished chia pudding with vanilla, citrus, or blueberry yogurt, fresh fruit, and oats for a chia pudding parfait. Then enjoy!
Bonus tip: If you want a thicker texture, you'll want to amp up the flavors even more with more seeds, especially with some of the more delicate flavors found in our Earl Grey Moonlight blend.
Variations to Try
Swap out Earl Grey Moonlight for a different Earl Grey blend, such as the zesty
Earl Grey Bravo or relaxing
Earl Grey Lavender. For more options, check out the
Earl Grey Sampler.
Chai Latte Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
Chai is a classic tea preparation from India involving tea, milk, and spice mixes known as karhas. Chai chia pudding pulls inspiration from one of
TeaChef recipes to turn those flavors into the perfect healthy breakfast or afternoon pick me up.
Chai Lattes are popular coffee shop drinks. By adding chia seeds, weâve turned them into a healthy breakfast or snack. As with all chia puddings, the recipe should be adjusted to taste, though we suggest making your Chai stronger than usual, as the seeds will absorb some of the flavors. Swap out the type of milk or sweetener or adjust the number of chia seeds as desired.
Makes two 4 oz. puddings.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. of
Masala Chai
1 cup milk of choice
Sugar, to taste (approx. 2 tsp. to start)
3-4 tbsp of chia seeds, whole or ground, to taste
Supplies
4 oz. mason jars or other container
Latte aerator (optional)
gritTea grinder or coffee/spice grinder (optional, to grind seeds)
Pot and spoon
Steps
Steep tea directly into milk. Warm the milk until steaming, but do not boil or scald.
Set the milk aside to continue steeping, approximately 7-15 minutes.
Strain tea out of milk mixture.
Add sugar to taste.
Foam the tea (optional).
Pour the tea into mason jars.
Add chia seeds, mixing them in until covered.
Wait five to ten minutes, then stir to remove clumps.
Refrigerate overnight.
Enjoy as-is, or add additional spices or raisins, to taste.
Instructions
Steep 1½ tsp of
Masala Chai directly into ½ cup of milk. Warm the milk until it's steaming, but don't boil or scald it.
Set the milk aside to continue steeping, approximately 7-15 minutes.
Strain out the tea leaves and add sugar to taste. We recommend using white sugar, or try
Rock Sugar for something new.
Optionally, foam the tea.
Pour the chai into your container and stir in 11/2-2 tbsp. of chia seeds.
Mix after five to ten minutes to break up the clumps.
Refrigerate overnight.
Variations to Try
Swap out Masala Chai for another
Chai of your choice. For a twist, sprinkle cinnamon, sugar, or other spices on top for an extra flavor kick.
Mix in raisins or other dried fruit.
So, there you have it. Two great puddings to get you started with two more recipes to come. In the meantime, have fun exploring new ratios, flavors, or variations. As always, if you come up with your own creation, feel free to share it on
TeaChef or on social @adagioteas. Happy testing!