An introduction to: CHIA: Seed, Flour & Oil www.tradelinkinternational.com sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 NZ: +64 9 9250497
ABOUT US Since 1994, TradeLink has been specialising in premium food products, giving our valued customers global supply options with exceptional service, value and quality standards. Today TradeLink serves their customers from offices in Auckland and Buenos Aires. OUR SERVICES TradeLink is a global supply company focused on ancient grains and frozen fruit, helping buyers secure supplies direct from the source, whilst saving them time and reducing the risks that come with cross-cultural and overseas buying. OUR GOAL We wanted to create a company where you, the international buyer, could get supply of ancient grains and other specialty ingredients, both organic and conventional, as close to the farm as possible, but still have the assurance that your requirements and needs will be understood, even in a foreign land, and that both of us will be on the same page regarding product quality, certifications and traceability. We also wanted to be more than just a supplier, we want to offer solutions, as complex as required, but as simple as possible, to help you with your product development and business goals. What you do and what you need matters to us. GLOBAL LOGISTICS TESTING UPDATES We use our knowledge on global supply to help you meet your challenges. With 25 years experience behind us, your product is in good hands. TradeLink gets every batch we export thoroughly tested by an external laboratory. We proactively update you on the status of your order through our weekly email updates. www.tradelinkinternational.com sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 NZ: +64 9 9250497
THE PRODUCT PRODUCT NAME: Salvia Hispanica, commonly known as Chia ORIGIN: Mainly from Argentina, Peru and Paraguay ABOUT: Chia is annual herb plant growing up to 1m tall, it has attractive purple or white flowers. The flowers spike to 10cm long, set on terminal stems, and fill out to a seed head (that is similar in appearance to a wheat seed head) with pinhead sized, brown, shiny seeds. Plants adapt to a wide range of soils, climates and minimal rainfall. Chia seeds are typically small ovals withh a diameter of about 1 mm (0.039 in). They are mottle-colored with brown, gray, black and white. While soaking, the seeds develop a mucilagiilaginous gel-like coating that gives chia-based beverages a distinctive texture. It also thickens and suspends much as you would expect from tapioca or similar food extenders. As the seeds are able to absorb more than 9 times their weight in water, they form a thick gel which causes a slow release of carbohydrate; facilitating an equally slow conversion of carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar)) for energy. As there is no insulin surge it is ideal for diabetic condititioions. It s health benefits are well documented. The seeds contain one of the highest known sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), as linolenic acid (LNA) 30-60%, and linoleic acid (LA) 30%. EEFA s are the highest source of energy in nutrition and govern many liflifee processes in the body. The mucilaginous properties of the seeds have a swelling action, similar to guar or psyllium and can be used as a bulking agent and fibre source. Chia has a calcium content 5 times that of milk. CULTIVATION: Unlike quinoa, chia requires a tropical or sub-tropical climate. It can grow it altitudes of up to 3200 ft successfully. It requires a light soil, and benefits from good nutrition. It is a hardy plant, which makes organic farming a commercial reality. Yields of around 2880kg per acre are common. Harvesting and processing depend on the location and the size of the farm, but thee main farms would harvest with a combine harvester and then process it similar to quinoa, wild rice etc. www.tradelinkinternational.com sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 NZ: +64 9 9250497
tradelinkinternational.com THE PRODUCT CHIA SEEDS www.tradelinkinternational.com WHITE CHIA SEEDS sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 MILLED CHIA NZ: +64 9 9250497
USAGE Chia has a slight nutty taste, and is a mild support to any food. Common uses include:- Breakfast cereals, energy bars, energy drinks, smoothies, mixed with juices, added to breads, muffins and other bakery items, enriching baby foods and infant formulas, raw on salads and sandwiches, milled, pressed into oils for food additives, cosmetics and pharacaceutical uses. Many report benefits to animmal health, especially racing animals as horses and greyhounds. Finallywhat about the new chia burger, the bread roll uses a percentage of chia flour, the roll is sprinkled with chia seeds, and the meat patty has chia flour as a binder...a versatile ingredient! Chia was first used by the Aztecs as early as 3500 B.C. and was one of the main commponents of the Aztec diet as food, mixed with other foods, mixed in water and drunk as a beverage, ground into flour, included in medicines, and pressed for oil. Chia flour could be stored for many years and could be easily carried on long trips, serving as a highenergy food. In Mayan, the word Chia means strength and it is interesting that these ancient people recognized the invigorating qualities of the Chia Seed. www.tradelinkinternational.com sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 NZ: +64 9 9250497
STORAGE & SHIPPING Packaging: This is usually specified by the customer, although we recommend a 25kg plastic woven sack, which can be stored in a dry area, and are easy to handle and ship. Shipping: Most chia is shipped from the processors to warehouses overseas where it is processssed into flours, retail packs or used as an additive in retail or industrial products. TradeLink is moving to reduce this waste of transport and is encouraging clients to move into partnerships for processing the products closer to the farms, reducing the carbon footprint of the product and saving on logistics and waste. To reduce shipping costs, our standard shipping method is in a 20ft dry container, with multiple humidity absorbant packs and lined with corrugated cardboard or kraft paper. The 25kg sacks are loose loaded. Quantity per container: 20 metric tonnes (not palletised) in 20ft container 20 metric tonnes palletised in 40ft high cube (40 25kg bags per pallet, 20 pallets) www.tradelinkinternational.com sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 NZ: +64 9 9250497
Product Specifications Country of Origin: Mainly Paraguay & Argentina Appearance: Round, small dark, black, dark brown seeds approx 1.5mm -2.0mm round. Taste: Typical of Chia, fresh, no off flavours. Texture: Hard Colour: Overall appearance is black Packaging: 25kg multi ply paper sacks labelled with Packer, Product Description, Net weight, Organic Certification Details and Lot Number Typical Analysis: Purity 99.9% Damaged <0.3% Off-colour <0.1% Insect infestation, part of insects Nil Microbiological Standards: Moisture 4g/100g sample E.coli <10 Salmonella spp absent in 25g Yeasts <1000 Moulds <2000 Listeria absent in 25g Nutritional Information (per 100g): Energy, 574kj Protein 18-20g Carbohydrates 12g per serving Total Oils 25-26% Omega 3 oils 17.5% of total oils above. Fibre 34-36g Metal Detection: 1.0mm Ferrous, 1.0mm Non Ferrous & 1.5mm Stainless Steel Shelf Life: 12 months from date of delivery, stored in air cooled, brick built warehouse with appropriate vermin controls in place. Quality: This product shall be free from live infestation, and evidence of infestation by rodents or birds. It shall not contain pathogens at levels injurious to human health, and will comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Act 1990, and all pertinent regulations made thereunder. www.tradelinkinternational.com sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 NZ: +64 9 9250497
tradelinkinternational.com www.tradelinkinternational.com sales@tradelinksa.com ARG: +54 11 4290-1492 NZ: +64 9 9250497