Rinse and pick over the sweet cherries. Pit the cherries, using a cherry pitter or a knife.
Place the pitted cherries in a pot and cook over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes, until they soften.
Use a potato masher to mash the cooked cherries.
Stir in the maple syrup and chia seeds. Pour the jam into glass jars. This recipe filled one pint jar and one half pint jar.
Allow the jam to cool before placing in the refrigerator.
Notes
Store chia jam in the refrigerator for up to one week.You can freeze this jam, just place it in freezer bags or freezer containers. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.You can use any berry you like! If cherries aren't your thing, try blueberries or strawberries.