Abstract
The history of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) as a domesticated crop presents many contradictions. Almost 4,500 years ago in
Mesoamerica, chia was used as food and medicine. However, just only in three centuries, chia became a forgotten crop
and remained an unknown crop for many years. Considering this issue, the main objective of this review was to testify the
importance and history of chia as a Mexican ancestral crop. Chia along with corn and bean were keys for the nutrition of the
ancient habitants in Mesoamerica. It has been reported that Spanish domination brought a massive reduction of the native
population of Mexico down to 5 % (from 22 million of native people at 1520 to 1 million at 1620). These two facts caused the use of chia to diminish and almost disappear. The chia crop was rescued thanks to a small group of farmers in Jalisco, Guerrero, and Puebla. Around 1990, they developed a crop of chia and preserved the tradition of their use. Today its value as crop and food is so
high and their cultivation and consumption are currently takes place in 30 countries. The chia’s demand will be increased up to 239 % by 2020 and its sales are expected to reach 1.2 billion dollars. It is clear that after 500 years of lethargy chia will be the Sleeping Beauty of Mexico.
| Original language | Spanish (Mexico) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1626-1632 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Australian Journal of Crop Science |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2018 |