Blackberry Chia Seed Jam - 5 Ingredients, No Pectin
A naturally thick, jewel-toned blackberry chia seed jam made with five ingredients and no pectin - ready on the stove in minutes and perfect on toast, yogurt and pancakes.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (400 g) fresh or frozen blackberries
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup, honey or sugar, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the blackberries, sweetener and lemon juice in a medium saucepan (there is no need to thaw frozen berries first).
- Place over medium heat and cook, mashing with a spoon or potato masher, for 8-10 minutes until the berries have broken down and released their juice.
- Remove the pan from the heat briefly and stir in the chia seeds, then return to the heat and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Take the pan off the heat, stir in the vanilla if using, and let the jam cool for 10 minutes - it will thicken further as the chia seeds absorb the liquid.
- Spoon into a clean jar, cover and refrigerate. Give it a stir before using.
- Serve on toast, stirred into yogurt or porridge, or as a filling for pancakes.
Cook’s tips
- Taste before you chill and add a little more sweetener if your berries are tart.
- The jam thickens a lot as it cools, so do not simmer it too long or it becomes overly firm.
- For a smoother jam, blend half of it or press it through a sieve to remove some seeds.
- Use maple syrup or a granular sweetener; honey works too for a non-vegan version.
Substitutions
- Swap blackberries for raspberries, blueberries, strawberries or mixed berries.
- Use lemon zest instead of the juice for a brighter, less tangy finish.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or a scraped vanilla pod for extra warmth.
Storage & reheating
Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also spoon the jam into a clean jar and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge overnight. Do not leave it at room temperature for long, as it lacks the preservatives of shop-bought jam.
FAQ
Do I need pectin for this jam?
No. The chia seeds swell and thicken the fruit juice into a jam-like consistency all by themselves, so no pectin or setting sugar is needed.
Why is my chia jam not setting?
It has not had time to thicken or there is too little chia in ratio to fruit. Let it cool fully in the fridge, and if still loose, stir in an extra tablespoon of chia and wait another 15 minutes.
Can I use frozen berries?
Yes, frozen berries work perfectly. Just add them straight from the freezer and allow a couple more minutes for them to thaw and release their juice as they heat.
