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When the Conquistadors under the command of Hernando Cortez arrived in Mexico on November 8, 1519, they sought to establish their own rule by subjugating and plundering the legendary nation of the Aztecs. Cortez quickly realized that a mysterious seed was at the very core of the Aztec nutritional foundation. It was an integral part of the rich ceremonial pageants that were vital to their religious and spiritual culture. In essence, it became a symbol of life itself. The Aztecs believed it gave them mystical, almost supernatural energy and power.
During the Conquistadors' relentless campaign of terror and oppression, Cortez was convinced that if he could destroy this unique plant, he would win the empire and become master of all he surveyed. Acre upon acre was then set ablaze and a brutal battle of wills had begun, a battle that would eventually bring the Aztecs to their knees, leaving the magnificent "Kingdom of Gold" in ruins.
After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the seeds were introduced to Spain around 1521. It was famed botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) who gave chian the botanical name Salvia hispanica L. By this time these seeds were growing wild in Spain and were mistakenly classified as a species native to that country (the Latin word for Spain is hispanica).
Now, after almost 500 years, Salvia hispanica has emerged once again – reborn as Salba.
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