Sabja Seeds (Basil Seeds) | How to use Sabja Seeds

Sabja Seeds are used in the making of many deserts including falooda etc. Sabja seeds also known as Sweet Basil Seeds has a lot of health benefits. How to prepare sabja seeds and use them before adding to a dish is explained here with step by step pictures and video.

Among many herbs and spices India is blessed with Sabja Seeds is one ingredient which is widely used.

Jump to:

• About Sabja Seeds
• Video
• Sabja Seeds Ingredients
• How to prepare and use Sabja Seeds Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving & Storage
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

About Sabja Seeds

Sabja Seeds are healthy, cooling & a digestive aid. Sweet Basil Seeds or Sabja Seeds are popularly called as Falooda Seeds. These are the seeds of sweet basil, also called Thai Holy Basil, which is different from holy basil, the tulsi plant revered in India.

Sabja seeds, also known as basil seeds, tukmaria seeds, or falooda seeds, are tiny black seeds that are native to India and the Mediterranean region. The gelatinous texture and high soluble fiber of the swollen basil seeds helps make a filling drink, which could help curb appetite if consumed before meals.

Summer is at its peak, so whenever I am at RS Puram I would nag hubby to go a lassi shop to drink either Sweet Lassi or Jigardhanda and surprisingly I saw these sabja seeds floating in Jigardanda and when I enquired they said it is sabja vithai as we call seeds in tamil. Though the traditional jigarthanda does not use sabja seeds I loved the texture and cooling effect it gives to any drink. So I hunted for these seeds, finally found them at Nilgiris.

Video

Recipes using Sabja Seeds

• Falooda
• Paal Sarbath
• Rose Falooda
• Mango Falooda
• Royal Falooda

Health Benefits of Sabja Seeds

• Helps in digestion.
• Relieves stress and tension.
• Provides relief to cold, cough, and flu.
• If you have mouth ulcer, try chewing the  seeds raw(without soaking).
• They are excellent body coolants making it perfect for summer.

Though sabja seeds is native to India, still we are not using them widely in our diet inspite of numerous health benefits.These seeds naturally have a cooling effect so can be used in

• Sarbath recipes
• Falooda
• Lemonade
• Rooh afza sherbet
• Icecream etc
• or just add it in drinking water and consume it.

Sabja Seeds Ingredients

• Water
• Sabja seeds

How to prepare and use Sabja Seeds Step by Step

1.First pick up and remove any husks or stones from the sabja seeds if any. Measure 1 teaspoon sabja seeds or basil seeds.

2.Add it to a bowl.

3.Add 3/4 cup to 1 cup water to it. The seeds will absorb the water only what they need.

4.Give a quick mix using a spoon.

5.Set aside for 20-30 minutes.

6.Mix it in between.

7.This is after 30 minutes. The seeds are swollen well. Sabja seeds absorb water only what it needs so adding little more water is better.

8.Transfer to a strainer. Rinse it once if needed.

9. Sabja seeds are ready to use.

Add it to your deserts or drinks and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Add enough water else the seeds will become lumpy. No worries you can add more if you see its very dry. Water should be a layer floating above the sabja seeds. But its better to add more first itself.
• The seeds will absorb only the water it requires and leave the rest floating. So its better to add more and strain the rest at later stage.
• You can use sabja seeds for making deserts, sarbath etc.

Serving & Storage

You can serve it with lemonade, rosemilk, sarbath, falooda etc. Soaked sabja seeds cab be stored in fridge and used for about a week.

FAQS

1.What is sabja seeds good for?

Sabja seeds are rich in soluble fiber. It acts as a natural body coolant so can be added to drinks and deserts, good to consume especially in summer.

2.Is sabja seeds and chia seeds same?

No they are not the same. Chia seeds takes more time to soak and absorb liquids than sabja seeds, also chia seeds are grey in color slightly bigger in size than sabja seeds while sabja seeds are smaller and black in color.

If you have any more questions about this Sabja Seeds do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook,  Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .

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