Are Basil Seeds the New Chia?
Packing good fibre, flavour, and flexibility of consumption, chia seeds have long been considered a “superfood”. I’m a big fan of these omega-3-rich little nutrient bombs, with chia pudding being my to-go dessert! That being said, there’s another ingredient out there that has caught my attention. It has remarkably similar properties to chia, and with its subtle herbal-floral flavour, is enjoying a moment in the spotlight. Cue in ~ basil seeds.
What are basil seeds, anyway?
Popularly known as Sabja seeds, these delicious black seeds are collected from the sweet basil plant. My Indian and Southeast Asian readers would have come across these digestive nutrients whilst enjoying Falooda {a cold dessert from India} or Sharbat {a popular South Asian drink}. What has played a major role in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries now, basil seeds are rapidly popularising in the western superfood industry.
Are Basil Seeds the New Chia? Health Benefits of Basil Seeds
Similar to chia seeds, basil seeds swell up and turn into a gelatinous delight when introduced to liquid. The gel coating of the seeds is a great aid for digestion, and their popularity as a health aid and ingredient is due in large part to this. There have also been anecdotal claims that the seeds relieve gas and constipation, without any unwanted side effects that one may face with modern allopathy. If you are facing health issues like ulcers, indigestion, or diarrhoea ~ basil seeds are here to your rescue!
Besides its digestion cure, a spoonful of basil seeds provides you with 26 percent of your daily requirement of magnesium, calcium, iron, and fibre! Research shows that the seeds have properties that balance blood sugar levels, and are beneficial for maintaining a healthy body weight. Just a recent discovery, basil seeds need more empirical research to validate their worth, but it’s nonetheless, off to a banging start!
5 ways to use basil seeds
- Digestive dynamite
Hmm, did I happen to mention the digestive benefits of basil seeds? Stir up a teaspoon of basil seeds into a cup of water and then sip this mixture after letting it sit for 10 minutes. This is the most basic way of reaping the digestive and fibre boosts of these seeds.
- Instant refresher
Basil seeds add great texture due to the gelatinous property, so stir some into your refreshers and enjoy the deliciousness of their flavour! A personal favourite all-season drink {that I’m all about right now}: I add a tablespoon of basil seeds, fresh basil leaves and squeeze half a lemon into a cup of cold water, sweetening it with maple syrup.
- Salad dressing
My favourite rendition of basil seeds that adds a dash of freshness to a salad, is when used as a dressing. Since these magic seeds are flexible with our palette, you can get creative with them. I personally choose to make mango basil dressing using mango nectar, white balsamic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper and you guessed it, basil seeds.
- Dessert delight
The reason I am all about that “basil seed life” right now, is for the flavour that’s born of basil pudding! A classic formula: combine 1 cup coconut milk with 2 tablespoons basil seeds and enjoy after refrigerating overnight. You may top this off with fresh fruit and a dash of maple syrup or honey {or your sweetener of choice}.
- Yogurt dip
The rich texture and consistency of basil seeds make them perfect for healthy yogurt-based dips. Feel free to try out this fun recipe I have been experimenting with ~ apricot & basil seed yogurt dip. Ingredients include Greek yogurt, apricot, ginger, turmeric, and a little sea salt, making for a perfectly refreshing dip that is both, healthy and delicious. This pairs well with vegetables and fruits as a dip or even with grilled meats and veggies as the final condiment to elevate its flavour!
If you know more about basil seeds and ways to make them interesting for consumption, please send in your thoughts and recipes in the comment below.
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.
Also called Tukmaria seeds, basil are nature’s all rounder ~ treating and preventing symptoms of a variety of illnesses.
Thank you for sharing, Maheeka.
Very informative and well articulated, Tanya. And I, being a Nutro-Pharmacist, found your blog very helpful.
Aw ~ thank you, Vaishali!
I have been looking for an informative post on Basil for quite some time, and found this to be really useful and simple to comprehend. Thank you, Tanya.
Glad to help, Ganesh. 🙂
Much thanks for this blog. I live in Mexico ~ here we use a lot of chia for its omega 3 benefits.
You are most welcome, Alejandra.
I find basil seeds delicious and a fun ingredient to incorporate into my summer repertoire. Kudos and keep up the good work!
Thank you, Dev.
Have you tried adding basil seeds to lemonade iced milky tea? Yum!
Will try that, Ahaana. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
My mom makes basil seed drinks using just a spoon full of seeds and sugar swirled in a tall glass, topped with ice. Delish!
I remember the basil smoothies my mum used to make as a fun and refreshing way to hydrate on a hot summer day. 🙂
Nicely done. Basil seeds are a healthy and additive-free comfort food that promote a healthy lifestyle without causing food allergies.
To give myself the best option, I sometimes combine chia & basil to create a super-seed dessert!
I’ve been enjoying Faluda for as long as I can remember; although I particularly associate it with summer holidays… 🙂
Basil seeds are my favourite part of faluda, Jasemin.
I’m ready to switch up my chia seed game! Btw, where can I purchase basil seeds?
You can buy them online at Amazon.in ~ look for *Organic certified.
This is a very well explained blog with the images. I shall pick up some basil seeds today to try out in a pudding (instead of my usual chia seeds). 🙂
Let me know how it turns out, Rashmi.
I absolutely love Falooda! It’s a perfect drink to consume during summers. It helps in reducing body heat, as basil seeds work as a natural coolant. 🙂
That makes two of us, Chandani. 🙂
Hi Tanya,
Love your blog!
I’d like to share this : In women with iron deficiency, iron supplementation may increase the efficacy of hair loss treatment. The antioxidants in basil seeds will help prevent inflammation and oxidative stress on the scalp, which can often lead to hair loss.
Thank you for your insight, Heena.
Nice post. Btw, basil seeds are crushed into oil to help in treating wound infections, bladder infections, and skin infections.
Thank you for sharing, Rakhi.
Superfoods have taken over the world! Nutrition-packed powerhouses, Basil makes for a great addition to smoothie bowls. Btw, the sweet basil is also known as tulsi seeds, or Falooda seeds in India.
Thank you for sharing, Geethanjali.
Lovely photos, Tanya. 🙂 My sabja filled breakfast jars provide me with great energy levels to kick-start my day!
Overnight breakfast jars are your quick fix on a busy day. 🙂
I love blending these mildly fragrant, sweet basil seeds with a variety of drinks, as well as using them as garnish on top of ice creams and desserts.
Thank you for sharing, Snigdha.
Cool share, Tanya. I use basil more for digestion, and cooling my body down. I let the seeds soak in water for half an hour, add some lime to the water and then drink it. 🙂
Nicely done, Chethana.
Love these images! Hove you tried Hibiscus tea, Tanya? (The best caffeine replacement!)
How to make iced Hibiscus tea: Dried Hibiscus flowers, cloves, aloe vera juice, fresh lemon juice, #basilseeds and ice cubes. 🙂
That drink is speaking to me so much!
Basil is one of my favourite herbs, and it can boast some pretty impressive performance benefits. I add basil to hot or iced tea, and chilled filtered water, along with a bit of fresh in-season fruit. 🙂
Sounds delicious, Sundas.
I love your posts! So educational! I’m a big fan of basil seeds with a little lemon juice for brightness, not flavour. I’ve been having a hot cup every morning with breakfast!
Sounds great, Nisha. Basil can be incorporated into green juices and smoothies too, It’s great paired with many types of fruit, including blueberries, pineapple, mango, apple, and pear. 🙂