This Homemade Strawberry Jam uses only 3 ingredients! This is such an easy recipe and a perfect way to use fresh or frozen frozen Strawberry. A homemade Jam with chia seed and no preservatives added.

I always equate Strawberry jam to sugar, I mean what’s a jam without the sugar? I never thought I’d I would go to the path of making a Strawberry Jam without adding any processed sugar in it, but I did. It was an interesting experiment that ended up to something that I really like. This Homemade Strawberry Jam was made using honey (or Maple syrup) to sweeten the jam. It was an unconventional way of making a jam, but it somehow works. The purpose of the sugar in a jam is not only to provide sweetness, but also to help thicken the jam. Since this jam do no use additional pectin, it uses the natural pectin that is found in Strawberry. Pectin is a substance present in most citrus fruits, it helps create a jelly like consistency for the jam. So the combination of natural pectin plus the sugar is what gives the jam the thick jelly like texture.

What is Chai Seed? 

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is related to the mint. Chia seeds were an important food for the Aztecs and Mayans back in the day. They prized them for their ability to provide sustainable energy. In fact, “chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength.” Despite their ancient history as a dietary staple, chia seeds became recognized as a modern-day super-food only recently. In the past few years, they have exploded in popularity and are now consumed by health conscious people all over the world. Don’t be fooled by the size — these tiny seeds pack a powerful nutritional punch.

Benefits of Chai Seed

• Chia Seeds Deliver a Massive Amount of Nutrients With Very Few Calories
• Chia Seeds Are Loaded With Antioxidants
• Almost All the Carbs in Them Are Fiber
• Chia Seeds Are High in Quality Protein
• The High Fiber and Protein Content in Chia Seeds May Help You Lose Weight
• Chia Seeds Are High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Chia Seeds May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
• They’re High in Many Important Bone Nutrients
• Chia Seeds May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
•  They May Reduce Chronic Inflammation
• Chia Seeds Are Easy to Incorporate Into Your Diet

Source: Healthline.com

Chia Seed in Jam

Not only that this do not use processed sugar, another unique and unusual ingredient in this jam is the addition of chia seed. Chia seed had been growing popularity for its amazing health benefits. The chia seed on top of the many benefit it has, provided the jelly like texture for the jam. Chia seed when soaked in the liquid makes a thick jelly like consistency which gave the jam a nice texture.

How is this different from regular jam?

• It uses honey to sweeten the jam instead of using processed sugar
• It has chia seed in it
• It has a lighter consistency compared to regular jelly like solid jam
• It has subtle sweetness instead of overly sweet jam

You may be used to conventional jam, but I encourage you to give this Strawberry Chia Seed a try. You can apply the same concept and use Blueberry, Raspberry, Black Berry and Peach. This is certainly a new way for me to make my jam, and a new way to enjoy it. Still, jam is jam. It may not be 100% healthy, but it is certainly healthier than a traditional jam. Give it a try!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Frozen or Fresh Strawberry
• 1/4 cup Honey or Maple Syrup
• 2 teaspoon Chia Seed (Black or White)
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chia Seed: Mix water and Chia Seed. Let sit while you cook the jam.
2. Cook the Strawberry: Cut strawberry into small pieces and transfer in a pan. Add maple syrup and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the Strawberry juice starts to come out. Continue stirring to avoid burning and sticking to the pan. The consistency will be liquidy and watery for few minutes. You will also notice large bubbles when it starts to boil. When most of the juice evaporated, the consistency will start to thicken. Turn the heat down to low and stir constantly for about  15 – 20 minutes or until it starts to thicken. When the jam starts to look gooey and thick, it will start to coat your spoon when you mix it. If the jam hangs to the spoon and doesn’t drip easy, then the consistency is good.
3. Pass the jam using a fine strainer. Press the jam using spoon until there are no bigger pieces of strawberry. Return to the pan and let simmer for another 5 minutes. Add chia seed and stir to distribute. Set aside to cool. Store in an airtight container or jar and refrigerate.
   • If you prefer chunks of Strawberry in your Jam, stop at step 2.
   • If to be used as a filling for bread rolls, pie or tart, make sure to refrigerate overnight to let it cool completely and to allow the consistency to get thick and jelly like.

Makes about 125 ml (size of mini mason jar)

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