When I tell people that I don’t eat refined sugar (I often just say that I don’t eat sugar -_-), the conversation often heads in the direction of everyday foods that we’re used to having that are so obviously packed with sugar. I then go on to explain that not having refined sugars doesn’t mean that we don’t eat jams and cakes and all the nice things that are associated with sugar…we simply get creative. We have jam as simply and naturally made as possible. Here is a simple form of jam which I prefer to the regular ones (store-bought or homemade) which requires minimal effort and even less ingredients.
Ever made chia pudding? Well, think of this as it’s cousin. Chia pudding…with fruit instead of milk (with some optional heating involved). The same way that you’d gobble up some chia pudding, you can indulge in this treat as well. We enjoy it with similar snack ideas as regular jam: on top of crackers, stirred into greek yogurt, with toast for breakfast or as a sweetener in a blended drink.
Be sure to tell us how you enjoyed your chia jam. Drop a pic below of your chia jam flavour and don’t forget to share with your friends and family.
Where to Buy Chia?
Ingredients
2 cups of fruit of choice
2 tbsp chia seeds
honey/ maple syrup to taste
**See tips for optional additions**
Method
Heat fruit in non-stick saucepan (you can add 1/4 cup water if you wish but it isn’t necessary)
When juice starts to bubble, let simmer until fruit softens
Using a potato masher, mash fruit to desired consistency
Add honey/maple syrup and taste
Add chia seeds, stir and leave on stovetop for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and leave to cool
Bottle in a glass jar and refrigerate overnight
This jam may be stored for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Tips
You can use any fruit that you wish to. I’ve made raspberry, strawberry and blackberry jam using this method.
Keep in mind that depending on how “juicy” the fruit is, your jam’s consistency would differ
Don’t use too little chia seeds, or else you’d have a watery jam
Depending on the fruit, you may not need any additional sweetening
Your mixture will thicken considerably once cooled and even more so overnight.
