Blackberry (or any berry) Chia Jam

This is the perfect jam if you don’t like all the crap they put in store-bought jams and jellies; if you want to control the amount of sugar added; and if you happen to have a bunch of berries you don’t know what to do with. But first…

What is a Chia?
These days, chia seeds are becoming more of a household staple than rice. You can find these powerful little bits in just about any grocery store and they pack a powerful nutritious punch. They are high in protein, Omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and plenty of other good-for-you vitamins and nutrients. Chia seeds also produce some pretty cool gelatinous goo when they are introduced to liquid. This goo is perfect for making jams, jellies, puddings, and particularly good at filling up your belly.

You can get creative with this recipe. Try adding some additional spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg. If you like a little heat you could try some cayenne. The next time I have an overabundance of strawberries, I might try adding some rosemary to kick it up a notch. Get creative! If you are concerned about how it will turn out, make a smaller batch.

Print Recipe

Blackberry Chia Jam

A quick and easy jam made with very little added sugar and thickened with Chia seeds.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Condiments

Ingredients

• 3 cups blackberries fresh or frozen will work
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey any sweetener should work
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 lemon, squeezed

Instructions

• Rinse the berries if they are fresh then place in a saucepan on medium heat.
• Cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until the juices start flowing and it's starting to show signs of boiling. Stir frequently!
• Mash up the berries but leave a few chunks if you like to see some fruit in your jam.
• Add the chia seeds and honey and continue cooking at a low simmer for another 5-8 minutes. The jam should start thickening at this point. It will continue to thicken as it cools so don't cook too long.
• Turn off the heat and add the salt, vanilla and lemon juice.
• At this point you can put in glass jars and go through the canning process. If you intend to eat it right away, let it cool and then place in containers for the refrigerator.