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

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

Anyone have trouble sleeping at night? I’ve been blessed with a supernatural ability to sleep through anything (including my alarm clock), but I know many who aren’t so lucky. Both Alex and I do, however, struggle with being well-rested due to our night-owl tendencies. When we’re well rested we’re less stressed, more pleasant, and more creative than when we’re sleep deprived.

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

This jam uses the magic of chia seeds!

This tart cherry jam (also known as sour cherry jam) recipe is a little different than standard jam: it’s chia jam! Chia jam is incredibly simple and utilizes the natural gel quality of chia seeds. This makes it an all-natural version of jam, and it’s even easier to make. Instead of using a gelatin like standard jam, the chia seeds naturally thicken fruit into a jam-like texture.

You’ll need frozen tart cherries for a tart cherry jam. Check your local groceries and if they don’t have them, try looking online. We use this method in our Easy Strawberry Jam, Rhubarb Jam, and Cranberry Jam as well.

How to make tart cherry jam

We selected a chai flavor for this tart cherry jam, which goes with the fruit perfectly. The chai spices gently add a cozy flavor to the cherries, which are sweetened with just the right amount of maple syrup. Slather it on a thick piece of toast and it’s a naturally sweet treat that also promotes good sleep. Here are the basic steps for how to make tart cherry jam (see the recipe below for full quantities):

Add frozen tart cherries, lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla, and chai spices to a skillet.
Simmer about 10 minutes until the cherries begin to break down.
Remove from the heat and stir in the chia seeds. Allow to stand and wait for the jam to naturally thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a sealable jar and refrigerate: the jam will thicken more as it cools.

What are Montmorency tart cherries?

This tart cherry jam is made with Montmorency tart cherries. If you’re like us, you might be wondering what are Montmorency cherries? Are they a brand? A type? 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 sour-sweet flavor and unique nutrient profile.
How are they different from sweet fresh cherries? Montmorency tart cherries are available year-round in dried, juice and frozen forms. Tart cherries are rarely found in their fresh form because they are delicate and need to be preserved.
Where are tart cherries grown? Over 90% of tart cherries consumed in the US are grown in the US! Traverse City, Michigan is considered the “cherry capital of the world” since about 75% of the Montmorency tart cherry crop is grown in Michigan. Alex and I go to Michigan every summer and absolutely love supporting this beautiful part of the country.

Want more with cherries? Try 12 Tasty Cherry Recipes.

How to serve it?

Of course, you probably don’t need ideas on how to serve jam! But here are some of our favorite baked goods and nut butters to serve alongside:

Slather on toast with Homemade Almond Butter
On Buttermilk Biscuits
On homemade bread: Best Sourdough Bread Recipe or Artisan Dutch Oven Bread
Cornbread Waffles or Fluffy Gluten Free Waffles
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes or Chocolate Brownie Spelt Pancakes
On Healthy Blueberry Muffins (all the berries!)

This tart cherry jam recipe is…

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