I recently embarked on a delightful journey to Oregon during the height of berry season, and I realized I had never truly tasted incredible berries until then. The strawberries and blackberries were unbelievably delicious, and I couldn’t resist eating them by the handful.
Wanting to bring a piece of this wonderful trip back with me, I purchased a flat of marionberries, carefully transporting them by car, plane, and car once more. I savored a few fresh, but soon they started to spoil, and I wished to preserve their delightful flavor for longer. Making jam seemed like the ideal solution, but I desired to avoid excess sugar and didn’t have the time for traditional jam-making.
Preserving a Berry Bounty (Without the Fuss)
If you’re overflowing with summer fruit but unwilling to drown them in sugar or spend hours over a stove, consider making chia seed jam as I did. It takes just about 10 minutes and perfectly preserves the authentic berry taste.
You use significantly less sugar than traditional jam recipes, and the chia seeds naturally thicken the mixture, emphasizing the berries’ natural flavor. Although this jam isn’t suitable for long-term canning, it can last a few weeks in the fridge, and it freezes well, providing a burst of summer’s bounty during winter months.
Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
Tips for Making Chia Seed Jam
If making jam intimidates you, this recipe is ideal. It requires minimal ingredients, takes only a short time to prepare, and there’s no stress about setting or proper canning. The chia seeds simplify the whole process.
Feel free to experiment with different fruits and quantities. I made the recipe exclusively with marionberries and doubled the amount, and it turned out beautifully. Just remember to taste the jam before finishing, as the sweetness may need adjusting depending on the berries used.
How to Store and Serve
The mixture will thicken in the fridge after a few hours, but making it a day ahead is ideal. My batch lasted 2 weeks, and could have lasted longer if I hadn’t finished it. I also froze a second jar for future enjoyment, which I know I’ll appreciate.
Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
I mostly enjoyed my jam swirled into plain yogurt, and it was absolutely delightful. For meal prepping, spoon some jam into small jars, top with yogurt, and enjoy homemade fruit yogurt for the week. It’s also delicious spread on toast, used as a cake topping or filling, blended into smoothies, and more.
