Chia Seeds in Urdu (چیا سیڈز): What They Are and How to Use Them
Short answer: chia seeds are called چیا سیڈز or چیا کے بیج in Urdu. They are the seeds of Salvia hispanica, a plant from Mexico, and they are not the same as tukh malanga (تخمِ بالنگا), the basil seed sold in Pakistan for centuries. The two look alike in a glass of water; the plants are different.
Chia seeds in Urdu: چیا سیڈز
چیا سیڈز (چیا کے بیج) سالویا ہسپانیکا نامی پودے کے بیج ہیں، جو اصل میں میکسیکو کا پودا ہے۔ یہ پانی میں بھگونے پر پھول کر جیل سی شکل اختیار کر لیتے ہیں۔ اردو میں انہیں عام طور پر چیا سیڈز ہی کہا جاتا ہے؛ ان کا کوئی پرانا دیسی نام نہیں، کیونکہ یہ پاکستان کی مقامی فصل نہیں۔
Chia seeds and tukh malanga are not the same
This is the question people ask most, and the answer is simple: they are two different plants.
- Chia (چیا سیڈز, Salvia hispanica): grey-black and white speckled seeds. In water they take 15–30 minutes to swell and hold a soft gel around each seed.
- Tukh malanga (تخمِ بالنگا, basil seed): plain black seeds, smaller and more even in colour. They swell within minutes and stay looser in the glass.
چیا سیڈز اور تخمِ بالنگا ایک چیز نہیں۔ دونوں پانی میں پھولتے ہیں، لیکن پودے الگ ہیں: چیا کے بیج ۱۵ سے ۳۰ منٹ میں جیل بناتے ہیں، جبکہ تخمِ بالنگا چند منٹ میں پھول جاتا ہے۔
What is in them
From the label on our pack, per 100 g:
- Energy 486 kcal
- Fat 30.7 g, of which saturated 3.3 g
- Carbohydrate 42.1 g, of which sugars 0.8 g
- Fibre 34.4 g
- Protein 16.5 g
- Potassium 407 mg, sodium 16 mg
A tablespoon is about 12 g, so a normal serving is a small part of those numbers. The full label, with the daily values, is on the chia seeds product page under Nutrition.
How to use chia seeds
- Chia water: stir 1 tablespoon into a glass of water and leave it 15–30 minutes. Add lemon or honey if you like.
- On food: sprinkle over yogurt, oats, salad or cereal. As a topping they need no soaking.
- Pudding: 3 tablespoons in a cup of milk, left in the fridge overnight.
- In the kitchen: 2–3 tablespoons into bread, muffin or cookie batter, or stirred into soup to thicken it.
ایک کھانے کا چمچ چیا سیڈز ایک گلاس پانی میں ڈال کر ۱۵ سے ۳۰ منٹ رکھ دیں۔ دہی، دلیے یا سلاد پر بھی چھڑک سکتے ہیں، اس کے لیے بھگونے کی ضرورت نہیں۔
Whole or ground?
Both work. Whole seeds swell into a gel, which is what you want for drinks and puddings. Ground seeds disappear into dough and batter. Grind only what you need and keep the rest whole in an airtight jar.
How to store them
An airtight jar in a cool, dry cupboard, away from sunlight. Kept dry they last well; clumps or a stale smell mean moisture has got in.
Frequently asked questions
What are chia seeds called in Urdu?
Chia seeds, written چیا سیڈز or چیا کے بیج. There is no older local name, because the plant is not native to this region.
Are chia seeds and tukh malanga the same?
No. Tukh malanga (تخمِ بالنگا) is basil seed, a different plant. Chia takes longer to swell and forms a firmer gel.
Do chia seeds need soaking?
Not always. For drinks and puddings, soak them so they form a gel. As a topping on yogurt, oats or salad they can go on dry; drink enough water with them.
How much is a serving?
Our recipes start at 1 tablespoon, about 12 g, in a glass of water or a smoothie. A pudding takes 3 tablespoons to a cup of milk.
What do chia seeds cost in Pakistan?
Zuriyat chia seeds come in 200 g and 500 g packs, and the current price of each is on the chia seeds page. The larger pack costs less per gram.