Chia Seeds Are The Jam

Chia seeds are everywhere now a days.  If you have not tried using chia seeds yet then this recipe would be a great place to start.

History of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds come from a flowering plant in the mint family.  History suggests that is was a very important food crop for the Aztecs as far back as 3500 BC and they consumed these seeds regularly.

Nutritional Profile of Chia

Just one ounce of chia provides 11 grams of fiber (1/3 of the recommended daily dose) which is great for digestion.  Chia seeds contain about 5 grams of Omega 3 fatty acids (more than salmon) which is great for brain and heart health.  They are also great for your bone and teeth health because of the 18% calcium that is contained in these little seeds.  Chia contains about 27% of your daily phosphorus needs which can help synthesize protein for cell and tissue growth and repair.  One ounce of chia can also provide you with 4.4 grams of added protein which is especially great for vegetarians and vegans.

Added Benefits of Chia

Chia seeds can help slow down digestion and make you feel more full with little added calories.  The gelatinous coating develops when exposed to liquids absorbing 12 times its weight which can prevent blood sugar spikes and make you feel full.  This is also great when making things like jam and pudding since chia acts as a thickener.  Chia seeds also have the ability to increase your stamina and energy over long periods of time.

How to Eat Chia

Chia seeds can be sprinkled on yogurt, cereal, or fruit.  They can act as an egg re-placer in baked goods by mixing 1 tbsp chia seeds with 3 tbsp water and letting it sit a couple minutes until it thickens.  Just replace this mixture for each egg in your recipe.  You can eat them whole or ground, which is unlike flax seed that should only be consumed ground to access the health benefits.  Add ground chia powder to smoothies or shakes.  The possibilities are endless.  Chia seeds work really well in making jam and it is so much easier than the traditional method.  There is no need for pectin because the chia is the thickener.  Here is the 4 step process…

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Course Condiments and Spreads

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 32 minutes

Author Sara

Ingredients

• 12 oz frozen fruit or 2 cups fresh fruit I used frozen mixed berries
• 1 Tbsp Raw Honey
• 2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

Instructions

1. Place frozen berries into sauce pan.
2. Add honey.
3. Cook on low heat until the fruit has broken down to a syrup like consistency (about 10-20 minutes depending on the fruit).
4. Add the chia seeds and mix them in to the fruit.
5. Turn off the heat and allow to cool about 10 minutes until thickened.
6. Place jam into a jar or container and keep if the fridge.