A seeds mix is several edible seeds, usually pumpkin, sunflower, melon, flax and chia, kept together in one jar so a single spoon goes over breakfast or into a laddoo. We keep two ready mixes, Five Seeds Mix and Muesli Mix (Seeds), and every seed on its own if you would rather make your own.
Below is how people use them, how to roast them and how to keep them fresh.
The seeds we keep
| Seed | Indian name | What it is like |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin seeds | Kaddu ke beej | Green, flat, nutty. The most filling of the lot. |
| Sunflower seeds | Surajmukhi ke beej | Small, grey, mild and slightly sweet. |
| Watermelon seed kernels | Magaj beej | Creamy white, used in thandai and sweets. |
| Muskmelon seeds | Kharbuja beej | Smaller and softer than magaj, used the same way. |
| Flax seeds | Alsi | Brown and glossy. Best eaten ground. |
| Chia seeds | Chia | Tiny, grey-black, swell into a gel in liquid. |
| Basil seeds | Sabja, tukmariya | Black, swell within minutes, used in falooda and sherbet. |
All of them are on our seeds shelf. Orders start at ₹1,500 and ship free.
How to use a seeds mix every day
- Breakfast: a spoon over poha, upma, oats, daliya or a bowl of fruit and curd.
- Raita: roast a spoon of seeds lightly and scatter them over boondi or cucumber raita just before serving, so they stay crunchy.
- Laddoo: mix roasted seeds with chopped dates, a little ghee and jaggery, then shape while warm.
- Atta: stir a spoon of ground seeds into dough for parathas or thepla.
- Salads and chaat: a handful on top for crunch.
A tablespoon a day is a common amount. Seeds are small but rich in fat, so a little goes a long way.
Chia, sabja and flax need a little care
Chia Seeds and Sabja Seeds (Tukmariya, Basil Seeds) look alike but behave differently. Sabja swells within a few minutes in water. Chia takes longer, around fifteen to twenty minutes, and is often left overnight in milk. Both are best soaked before eating. Our sabja guide covers the difference in detail.
Flax Seeds (Alsi) are the other exception. Whole flax often passes through the body without being broken down, so most people grind it just before use. Grind a small amount at a time: ground flax goes stale within days.
Roasting seeds at home
Roasting brings out flavour and makes pumpkin, sunflower and melon seeds crunchier.
- Use a dry, heavy pan on a low flame. No oil is needed.
- Roast one kind of seed at a time, since they cook at different speeds. Melon seeds are quickest.
- Stir constantly. Pumpkin seeds puff slightly and may pop, and flax crackles when it is ready.
- Stop when they smell toasty, usually within three to five minutes, and tip them straight onto a plate to cool.
Chia and sabja are not usually roasted. Add them raw or soaked.
Storage: why seeds go rancid
Seeds are full of natural oils, and those oils are what spoils. A rancid seed smells sharp, like old paint, and tastes bitter.
- Keep seeds in an airtight glass or steel jar, away from the stove and sunlight.
- In hot, humid months, keep them in the fridge.
- Roasted seeds keep for a shorter time than raw, so roast only what you will use in a week or two.
- Smell the jar before you use it. If it smells off, throw it out.
Making your own mix
A home mix lets you choose the balance. A simple starting point is equal parts pumpkin, sunflower, magaj and muskmelon seeds, roasted separately and mixed once cool. Add a smaller share of flax, ground fresh. Keep chia and sabja in their own jars and add them at serving time, since they are usually soaked.
For ready mixes of nuts and dried fruit as well, see our page on mixed dry fruits.
Questions people ask
What is in an all seeds mix?
Usually pumpkin, sunflower, melon, flax and sometimes chia seeds. The product page for each ready mix lists exactly what goes into it.
How much protein is in a seeds mix?
It depends on the blend. Pumpkin seeds carry about 30 g of protein per 100 g, sunflower about 21 g, flax about 18 g and chia about 17 g, so a tablespoon of mix gives roughly 2 to 3 g.
Should seeds be soaked before eating?
Chia and sabja are usually soaked. Pumpkin, sunflower and melon seeds are eaten raw or roasted, and flax is best ground.
How long does a seeds mix stay fresh?
Raw seeds in an airtight jar keep for a few months if cool and dry. Roasted seeds are best used within a week or two, and ground flax within a few days.
Can I eat seeds if I am pregnant or have a health condition?
Ask your doctor first, especially if you are pregnant, have diabetes or take regular medicine. The information here is general, not medical advice.