Description
Homemade chia seed jam brings summer’s sweetest berries into a delightful spread without refined sugar. Quick and simple preparation lets fresh fruit shine while delivering healthy nutrients that elevate morning toast or afternoon scones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups fresh berries of choice
- 2–3 tablespoons chia seeds
Liquid Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) filtered water
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (adjust for sweetness)
- Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
- Select ripe, vibrant berries and gather all necessary ingredients for a fresh, homemade jam bursting with natural flavors.
- Place the berries, filtered water, and maple syrup into a nonstick saucepan, creating a sweet and fruity base for the jam.
- Heat the mixture over medium flame, bringing it to a gentle boil while stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the berries to simmer and slowly break down, releasing their natural juices and intensifying the flavor profile.
- Gently crush the softening berries with a wooden spoon or potato masher, helping them release more liquid and create a smoother texture.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately incorporate the chia seeds, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Allow the jam to rest and thicken for several minutes, observing how the chia seeds absorb liquid and create a gel-like consistency.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the jam, adding a bright, tangy note that balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Carefully transfer the finished jam into a clean glass jar, ensuring no spillage and maintaining the jam’s smooth texture.
- Let the jam cool completely at room temperature before sealing and storing in the refrigerator for optimal preservation.
- Consume the homemade chia seed jam within one week to two weeks for maximum freshness and flavor integrity.
Notes
- Bursting with natural sweetness, this homemade jam transforms fresh berries into a healthier alternative to traditional preserves.
- Chia seeds magically thicken the mixture, creating a smooth, spreadable consistency without added pectin or artificial thickeners.
- Quick and easy preparation requires just five ingredients and minimal cooking time, perfect for busy home cooks seeking nutritious options.
- Versatile jam works beautifully as a topping for toast, yogurt, oatmeal, or as a delightful spread in baked goods and desserts.
- Refrigeration extends the jam’s shelf life up to two weeks, allowing you to enjoy fresh, vibrant flavors throughout the week.
- Low in sugar and packed with omega-3 fatty acids from chia seeds, this jam offers a nutritional boost compared to store-bought versions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg