The Chia Pet was marketed and popularized by Joseph Pedott. Pedott first learned about "something called the Chia Pet" being imported from Oaxaca, Mexico when he attended a housewares show in Chicago in 1977. Negotiating the rights from importer Walter Houston, Pedott began marketing Chia Pets in the US.

They're easy to digest, reduce inflammation, regulate cholesterol, lower blood pressure (great for heart health!), aid in weight loss, reduce insulin resistance, regulate blood sugar, reduce signs of aging, increase energy levels, benefits hair/skin/nails, aid in detoxification, and MORE!

And your favorite painter Bob Ross Chia fantastic just spread the seeds water. And watch it grow.

Pedott's company, Joseph Enterprises, estimated in 2018 that they had sold more than 25 million chia pets in the U.S. alone, making them a hugely popular pet option for Americans over the past few generations.

It was sacred and used as a sacrifice in religious ceremonies. The ancient civilizations believed that the chia seed provided supernatural powers. In Mayan, “chia” means “strength.” This probably has to do with the large amounts of energy provided by chia seeds.

Chia seeds come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family. Salvia hispanica seed often is sold under its common name "chia" as well as several trademarked names. Its origin is believed to be in Central America where the seed was a staple in the ancient Aztec diet.

Though adding chia seeds to your diet is unlikely to cause weight loss on its own, it may be a useful addition to a balanced, nutritious diet if you're trying to lose weight. Chia seeds are high in protein and fiber, both of which have been shown to aid weight loss.

Chia seeds are very rich in fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They have been linked to improvement in risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, as well as benefits for digestion and gut health. Chia seeds are very easy to incorporate into a healthy diet.

1982 And while Pedott wasn't an inventor, he was a gifted marketer; in 1982, he began airing TV spots for his first Chia Pet - a ram - along with the catchy “Ch-ch-ch-Chia!” jingle (see bottom photo caption).

Joseph Pedott Joseph Enterprises

In 2022, Paraguay was the leading exporter of chia seed, exporting about 112.4 million U.S. dollars' worth of chia seeds to the rest of the world. That year, China was the second major exporter of chia seed with exports valuing about 88 million U.S. dollars.

The word “chia” means “strength” in the Mayan language. Aztec warriors ate chia seeds to give them energy and endurance. Chia grew wild and was a prized harvest used as currency to pay taxes and religious alms and to settle debts with conquering tribes.

In the ancient world, these tiny seeds were used as energy boosters. Reason being that chia seed contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, calcium and antioxidants.

Its origin is believed to be in Central America where the seed was a staple in the ancient Aztec diet. The seeds of a related plant, Salvia columbariae (golden chia), were used primarily by Native Americans in the southwestern United States.

chia, (Salvia hispanica), also called Mexican chia or salba chia, species of flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its edible seeds. The plant is native to Mexico and Guatemala, where it was an important crop for pre-Columbian Aztecs and other Mesoamerican Indian cultures.

By utilizing their broad range of nutritional compounds, chia seeds can help you lose abdominal fat and lower belly fat and other health benefits. They are easy to use and can be used in many different ways. They are best consumed after being soaked in liquid overnight or as chia seed water.