Tart Cherry Jam with Chai Spices

This tart cherry jam is quick and easy to make! It uses chia seeds to create a natural jam and is flavored with chai spices.

This tart cherry jam recipe is sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute. All opinions are ours.

Does anyone have trouble sleeping at night? I’m blessed with an uncanny ability to sleep through everything (including my alarm clock), but I know many who aren’t so lucky. However, Alex and I struggle to stay well rested due to our nightlife tendencies. When we’re well rested, we’re less stressed, more comfortable, and more creative than when we’re sleep deprived.

So lately we’ve been trying to cut back on late Netflix viewing in favor of real pillow time. We recently learned that Montmorency tart cherries contain melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates our sleep cycle. In honor of being rested, we’ve created a tart cherry jam that works as a naturally sweet snack before bed!

This jam uses the magic of chia seeds!

This recipe for tart cherry jam (aka tart cherry jam) is a little different from the standard jam: it’s chia jam! Chia jam is incredibly easy and takes advantage of the natural gel quality of chia seeds. This makes it an all-natural version of jam and even easier to prepare. Rather than using a gelatin like standard jam, chia seeds naturally thicken the fruit into a jam-like texture.

For the sour cherry jam you need frozen sour cherries. Check your local grocery stores and search online if they don’t have one. We also use this method in our Easy Strawberry Jam, Rhubarb Jam, and Cranberry Jam.

How to make tart cherry jam

For this tart cherry jam, we chose a chai flavor that goes perfectly with the fruit. Chai spices add a pleasant flavor to the cherries, which are sweetened with just the right amount of maple syrup. Spread it on a piece of thick toast and it’s a naturally sweet treat that also promotes good sleep. Here are the basic steps for making tart cherry jam (See recipe below for full amounts):

• In a skillet, combine frozen tart cherries, lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla, and chai spices.
• Simmer for about 10 minutes until the cherries start to break down.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the chia seeds. Let stand and wait about 5 to 7 minutes for jam to thicken naturally. Transfer to an airtight jar and store in the fridge: the jam will continue to thicken as it cools.

What are Montmorency tart cherries?

This tart cherry jam is made from Montmorency tart cherries. If you’re like us, you might be wondering what are Montmorency cherries? Are you a brand? A kind of? Here are some facts about these tasty fruits:

• What are Montmorency tart cherries? Montmorency tart cherries are a variety of cherries known for their distinctive sweet and sour flavor and unique nutritional profile.
• How are they different from sweet fresh cherries? Montmorency tart cherries are available year-round in dried, juiced and frozen forms. Tart cherries are rarely found in their fresh form as they are delicate and need to be stored.
• Where are sour cherries grown? Over 90% of the tart cherries eaten in the US are grown in the US! Traverse City, Michigan is considered the “Cherry Capital of the World” because approximately 75% of the Montmorency tart cherry crop is grown in Michigan. Alex and I go to Michigan every summer and love supporting this beautiful part of the country.

Fancy more with cherries? Try 12 delicious cherry recipes.

How do you serve it?

Of course, you probably don’t need jam serving ideas! But here are some of our favorite baked goods and nut butters to go with it:

This tart cherry jam recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, gluten-free, naturally sweetened and refined sugar-free.

Looking for vegan breakfast ideas?

This tart cherry jam is perfect for breakfast spread on a piece of almond butter toast! Here are some other vegan breakfast ideas on A Couple Cooks: