Hawthorn Berry Jam

Why people make this jam

Hawthorn (shan zha) is one of those ingredients that appears in both the kitchen and the traditional Chinese pharmacy — and for good reason. The berries have a bright, pleasantly tart flavour that makes a delicious jam, and they carry a long history in Chinese food therapy as a digestive aid, particularly after eating a heavy or meaty meal. Fresh hawthorn berries are available seasonally at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online; dried hawthorn slices are available year-round at Chinese herb shops. This jam is wonderfully practical: a couple of teaspoons dissolved in warm water works as a gentle post-meal digestive tonic; a tablespoon in warm water is traditionally used to ease the lower abdominal bloating and cramping that can accompany a woman’s menstrual cycle.