Canary Seed: Benefits, How to Prepare and Simple Ways to Consume

Canary Seed: Benefits, How to Prepare and Simple Ways to ConsumeCanary seed is a seed known mainly as bird food, but it is also used in some culinary traditions and homemade recipes for human consumption. The so-called “canary seed milk” has gained popularity as a simple plant-based drink made only with seeds and water. Canary seed can be part of a balanced diet, but it does not replace medications or treatments for diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney or heart disease.What is canary seed?Canary seed is the seed of the plant Phalaris canariensis. For human consumption, choose canary seed intended for human food, produced and processed for that purpose.Recipe 1: Homemade canary seed milkIngredients: 5 tablespoons of canary seed for human consumption; 500 ml of water; extra water for soaking.Preparation: Soak the seeds in water for approximately 8 hours or overnight. Discard the soaking water, wash the seeds well, and blend with 500 ml of clean water. Strain with a fine sieve or food-grade cloth.Recipe 2: Canary seed smoothie with bananaIngredients: 200 ml of canary seed milk; 1 small banana; cinnamon to taste. Blend everything and consume right after.Recipe 3: Canary seed with oatsIngredients: 200 ml of canary seed milk; 2 tablespoons of oats; 1 teaspoon of chia seeds; chopped fruit. Mix everything and let it rest for a few minutes. This combination increases fiber and can help with satiety and intestinal function.Care before consumingChoose only canary seed clearly identified as suitable for human consumption. People with allergies, kidney disease, diabetes under treatment, or continuous medication use should talk to a health professional before making canary seed a daily consumption.