Make Water beads

At our local Asian specialty food market a whole bag (which is SO many Tablespoons of seeds) was a little over a dollar. I learned about the properties of basil and chia seeds in graduate school (botany is COOL!). The gel that forms is a way for the seed to gather and store water as it sprouts. Clever of the seed, right? These seeds are also used in drinks (think along the lines of bubble tea) in other countries. In the US they are gaining popularity as a health/energy drink because they are high in nutrients. Where do you find Basil Seeds:

The best place to find basil seeds is in an Asian or International Specialty Food Store: Our local Asian Specialty stores all carry bags for $1 and they are in the spices section
Here is a listing on US Amazon

The above links are by no means exhaustive - feel free to Google around yourself. Any online spice specialty store is likely to carry these! :)

If you wish to substitute chia seeds for basil seeds, follow the modified recipe below:

1 cup of water (with added food coloring if you want)

Allow the mixed seeds to sit overnight (or at least 8 hours) in the colored water in your refrigerator for best results.