This summer drink tastes amazing and has multiple health benefits. It’s refreshing, energizing, and full of super foods, specially designed for your well-being!

Have I told you how much I love tea, chai and any other kind of beverages? Probably not, and I don’t think you can tell just by reading this blog since the only recipes I’ve posted so far – except some delicious smoothies – are a pink lemonade with lavender syrup and a cocooning chai, which is one of my favorite things to drink on a cold winter evening. This chai happens to be equally delicious as a summer drink, served chilled in a tall glass with a lot of ice. And this is actually something I do with a lot of other herbal tea recipes. I enjoy them warm during winter and chilled during summer. This powerful sage and mastic chia fresca is another favorite recipe which combines two of the most exceptional Mediterranean ingredients – sage and mastic – with the Mexican superfood chia, for a refreshing and extra healthy summer drink.

Sage and chia seeds are well known ingredients used by many people, but mastic may be unknown to some. Mastic is a resin obtained by the mastic tree which grows on a Greek Island, Chios. The surprising fact is that it grows only on a small part of the mediterranean area and nowhere else! Mastic can be chewed raw like a gum or be used ground in a lot of sweet and savory recipes. It has a very strong aroma, so a small quantity is enough to flavor to your dishes.

Note of caution: Mastic is a resin, so when melted it can stuck onto your utensils. Follow my tips at the end of this post for easy clean-up!

This post will be far too long if I start talking about all the health benefits of sage, mastic and chia seeds. However, for completeness purposes, I’ll name just a few 🙂

Mastic:
Antibacterial and antioxidant properties
Shields against cardiovascular disease
Anti-inflammatory properties
Detoxifies liver
Shows signs of protection against the Helicobacter Pylori (stomach ulcer)

Sage:
Energizes and revitalizes muscle and tissue
Controls sweating
Antibacterial and antibiotic properties
Stimulates nerves and cardiovascular system
Shows signs that can help and restore memory loss

Chia seeds:
Rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids
Speeds up the skin’s repair systems and prevent further damage
Food high in dietary fiber and protein
Chia seeds help to control hunger and suppress appetite, which can lead to weight loss
Support the growth of probiotics in the gut
Boost energy and can improve performance the same way as a sports drink can.

Some notes/tips:
Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, for maximum freshness.
Wrap mastic with a coffee filter or a cheese cloth to prevent any resin sticking to your pot.
If you have any resin stuck inside your pot, scrub it off with the help of some warm vegetable oil.
Add a teaspoon of agave/honey or some stevia for a slightly sweeter taste.
Did you know that the little resin drops from the mastic tree are also called teardrops?
Shake or stir before drinking since chia seeds have the tendency to settle down.

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Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their doctor before drinking sage tea since it is something generally not allowed for them. The same applies for people who suffer from epileptic seizures.

Recipe

Powerful sage and mastic chia fresca

This summer drink tastes amazing and has multiple health benefits. It’s refreshing, energizing, and full of super foods, specially designed for your well-being!

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: beverage, Drinks

Cuisine: Fusion, Mediterranean

Keyword: chia, fresca, mastic, recipe, sage

Yield: 6 cups

Author: The Hungry Bites

Ingredients

1 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons dried sage
¼ teaspoon ground mastic (4-5 medium sized “teardrops”)
3 tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey
5 cups cold water
1 paper coffee filter or small piece of cheese cloth and some thread
Lemon slices for serving, optional

Instructions

Ground mastic with a mortar or another heavy object, put it in the middle of a cheese cloth or coffee filter, wrap it, and secure it with thread.
Boil a cup of water and add sage, mastic and sweetener. Let them steep for 10 minutes and massage mastic-pouch to release as much flavor as possible.
Strain into a large jar and add 5 cups cold water and chia seeds. Stir well to combine and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Serve with lemon slices or take it in a bottle to the gym!
Shake or stir and drink!

Notes

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their doctor before drinking sage tea since it is something generally not allowed during pregnancy and breatfeeding period. The same applies for people who suffer from epileptic seizures.

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