I often get carried away at the farmers market and buy far more berries than I can eat within a week. One way I use up the extras is making this easy chia seed jam!
A Low-Sugar Jam Perfect for Newbies
I am no expert when it comes to making jam, which is why I LOVE chia seed jam. All you do is toss some chopped up fruit with sugar (or honey) and lemon juice, and cook the fruit until the pieces break down. Then, you stir in some chia seeds and let the jam cool. The chia seeds absorb the extra liquid from the fruit and expand, acting as a natural thickener for the jam. That’s it! It will keep in the fridge for a few weeks, and it’s great for spreading on toast or stirring into yogurt.
Get Creative With Fruit Combos
This mixed berry chia seed jam is a blend of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. However, you can use any combination of berries or fruits that you like. Just make sure that you start off with about 2 1/2 cups of fruit. The jam tastes better if you use ripe berries, but you can always add another teaspoon or two of sugar if your berries are not quite ripe yet. If you want an extra bit of zing in the jam, consider adding a teaspoon of grated ginger before you cook the fruits. The flavor of the ginger works very well with the berries!
More Jams and Fruit Spreads to Love
Blueberry Jam in the Microwave Apricot Riesling Jam Microwave Strawberry Jam Meyer Lemon Marmalade Quince Jam
Look for chia seeds at natural food stores in the baking aisle or with the other nuts and seeds. The fruit should look like a syrupy, runny sauce. (If you want a smooth jam without chunks, use the back of a wooden spoon or a fork to mash large chunks of fruit. Taste and add additional sugar or lemon juice to taste.
